More LoboZone

• Richard Stevens: Faces I'll remember are the smallest ones
• Michael Garcia: Here's to you, athletes, coaches and friends. These memories - and lessons - will last forever.
• Tribune sports: Five faves

MOST RECENT TRIB STORIES

• ABQTrib.com to remain available
  08:48 a.m., February 25, 2008
• Congressman is indicted
  08:37 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Series of attacks target Green Zone
  08:36 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Iran is defying U.N., agency says
  08:35 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Waterboarding approval probed
  08:34 a.m., February 23, 2008

TRIB IN THE BLOGOSPHERE*

• Ty Murray Invitational thrills fans in Albuquerque
• Is Rome Burning?
• Ominous Skies
• The Road to Invalidation
• Albuquerque company participates in “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”

*Note: The Tribune does not create and is not responsible for the blogosphere's headlines and stories. These links to blogs talking about ABQTrib.com are automatically generated. Use them at your own risk.

STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

SHARE THIS STORY [?]

TCU's Adrianne Ross could make an All-America career by playing the Lobos every game.

Ross, a former Hobbs High star who was recruited by the University of New Mexico before choosing TCU, is averaging nearly 20 points per game over the past three outings against the Lobos.

"She's a very talented player," said UNM senior guard Brandi Kimble. "She looks to score and is a very aggressive player on offense."

Kimble said guarding Ross, a 5-8 senior who leads TCU with a 13.8 scoring average, takes its toll on her own offense.

"You spend so much energy just chasing her around, sometimes it does (effect your offense)," Kimble said.

The smooth-scoring Ross was named the preseason Mountain West Conference player of the year. TCU's recent play of late - the Horned Frogs are riding a school-record five-game MWC winning streak - are a testament to Ross' steady production and leadership. Her nickname is "The Boss," mostly because it rhymes well with Ross, but also because of her ability to control the game's tempo.

She is coming off a game-high 21 points in Wednesday's 73-59 upset of No. 22-ranked Wyoming. The win jumped the Horned Frogs (8-2 MWC) into second place in the league standings behind unbeaten Utah (9-0 MWC). It was Ross' fourth game with more than 20 points this season.

With a game looming against the Lobos, expect Ross to try to eclipse that mark for a fifth time.

She scored a team-best 18 points (6-of-18 shooting) against UNM in a 57-54 victory on Jan. 15 at The Pit, and likely will look to be a catalyst as TCU tries to protect its homecourt.

Kimble will try to make her work even harder to pile up the points. "If I do my job, we'll have a better chance (to beat TCU)," Kimble said.

Kimble can't forget to score herself, especially if TCU targets UNM's leading scorer Dionne Marsh (14.6 scoring average). Marsh posted a double-double (15 points, 11 rebounds) in UNM's 63-54 win over San Diego State on Wednesday.

Kimble scored just three points on 1-of-6 shooting in the earlier loss to TCU. She's hoping to contribute more this time, but says slowing Ross won't necessarily mean a Lobos victory on Sunday.

Limiting turnovers and easy TCU baskets will be as critical to beating the Horned Frogs.

UNM's last trip to TCU wasn't so memorable as the Lobos suffered a 67-43 setback in Fort Worth.

"Ross is good, but they've got a lot of weapons, and they like to pressure the ball," Kimble said. "We've got to be ready for them from the get-go. Last time, we fell into an early hole and couldn't get it back in the second half."