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UNM Women's Basketball: Lobos thrash Aggies 81-47 in The Pit

Lobos collect 21st consecutive win over New Mexico State

By Iliana Limón
Saturday, December 2, 2006

The Lobos didn’t forget.

They didn’t forget nearly losing at New Mexico State in triple overtime last year.

They didn’t forget trailing the Aggies with three minutes left at home in the rematch last year.

The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team came out swinging like prize fighters and collected a knockout in the form of an 81-47 romp over New Mexico State on Saturday night in The Pit.

“We wanted to get off to a good start because they rattled us last year,” Briody said. “We didn’t want to give them confidence or a chance to beat us because they are such a good team.”

Senior guard Julie Briody scored a career-high 23 points to lead the Lobos, while junior forward Dionne Marsh added 17. Senior guard Katie Montgomery chipped in 14 points.

UNM got off to a hot start, going on a 13-4 run early in the first half.

The Lobos drove to the basket and pushed the tempo. The Aggies picked up 14 first-half personal fouls and struggled to counter UNM’s 43 percent shooting from the field.

UNM shot 15-of-18 from the free-throw line and Briody had 18 points in the first half, giving the Lobos a comfortable 47-23 lead at the half.

The Lobos padded the lead and New Mexico State never posed a serious comeback threat.

UNM has won 21 consecutive games against the Aggies. Saturday night’s 41-point win is the largest margin of victory during the streak.

Lobos coach Don Flanagan said he doesn’t pay much attention to the streak, although a similar one hounded him when he first took over the UNM program.

New Mexico State had 16 consecutive wins over the Lobos until Flanagan’s team finally collected his first win over the Aggies Nov. 28, 1996.

“All I wanted to do when I first started here was to play well against New Mexico State because they were a very good program,” Flanagan said.

Briody said the streak is startling and impressive.

“It does amaze me because it’s such a good rivalry,” she said.

The Aggies did take jabs at the Lobos all night, but they couldn’t get past the Lobos or a season-high Pit crowd of 11,327 that was delighted by the rout.

UNM ended the game with a 49-37 rebounding advantage, with Marsh and Montgomery leading the team with eight boards apiece.

“Coach really emphasized that we need to keep improving our rebounding and play better transition defense,” Briody said. “I think we improved on those things tonight and that’s only going to help us down the road.”

Seniors Cecilia Russell-Nava and Sherell Neal led the Aggies with 13 points apiece.

The Lobos held Neal scoreless until early in the second half, but she heated up when she took on UNM freshman Christian Shelter.

Flanagan rotated his freshmen but didn’t let Neal light up Shelter for very long. The coach said he isn’t willing to give the rookies playing time if they don’t play good defense and rebound well.

“If they want time, their time has to be quality time,” Flanagan said. “If you’re not gonna score, you’ve got to shut your player out.”

Point guard Amy Beggin continued to lead the freshmen with five points, one rebound and two assists in 20 minutes of play.

Valerie Kast is emerging as the next big rookie threat for the Lobos. She had five points, two rebounds and two blocks in five minutes of play.

The coaching staff urged Kast to block out as she was about to check in, one of the keys to staying on the court during Flanagan’s watch.

“We’re working very hard with Valerie,” Flanagan said. “It’s obvious she has ability. It’s just a matter of her understanding what she has to do at this level.”