“4-0, it’s fun,” said UNM head coach Yvonne
Sanchez. “We’re
a work in progress. We’re going to be for a little but. But you’
rather learn
your lessons with a win. They’re gelling together. They’re doing
different
things in every game that’s good. It’s nice to see as a coaching
staff. We’re
going to get it together and put a complete game together.”
New Mexico (4-0) finished with three players in
double
figures – senior Caroline Durbin with a game-high 14 points and
Sara Halasz and
Jordan Erskine each with 10 points. Erskine finished with a game
high seven
rebounds and freshman guard Bryce Owens had 10 of the Lobos 16
assists for the
game.
“It wasn't as big as I thought it would be,"
Owens said
of the rivalry game. “I thought it would be more physical, maybe
some 'bos
(elbows) thrown.”
The Aggies battled in the first half, trailing
15-4 with
9:22 left in the first half. UNM kept the lead at 11 until NMSU
managed a 6-0
run keyed by Stephanie Gilbreath to cut the Lobo advantage to
25-20 with 3:03
left in the first half. Both teams managed only one field goal the
rest of the
first half for a 27-22 halftime score.
“The biggest thing is we had a couple of people
in foul
trouble with Sarah and Caroline (in the first half),” said
Sanchez. “So getting
them back out on the floor in the second half, they set the tone.
We had a hand
in their face every time.”
Gilbreath and guard Danesia Williamson both led
NMSU with 10
points. Kelsie Rosenthal added seven points and a team-high six
rebounds.
The Lobos defensive effort in the second half led to a horrendous
shooting half
for the Aggies, who shot just 4 of 32 in the second half and went
0 of 13 from
the three point line.
By contrast UNM shot 11 of 25 on their way to a
24 of 52
(46.2%) shooting performance for the game. NMSU finished shooting just 14 of 64 (21.9%)
for the game and
0 of 18 on treys.
The Aggies did managed to outrebound the Lobos
44 to 43 but
lost the battle on the defensive boards 37-27. UNM outscored NMSU
34-20 in the
paint, 19-13 on points off turnovers and 10-4 on fast break
opportunities. New
Mexico’s bench also outperformed New Mexico State’s outscoring the
Aggie
reserves 20-10.
“It's great (to beat them),” said Durbin.
“Since I've been
here, we haven't lost to them and I'm trying to keep that alive."”