Jan. 27, 2007
Box Score
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - New Mexico made 10 of its first 14 shots from three-point range to open up a 23-point lead 13 minutes into the game and held a commanding 52-32 edge on the boards to claim a 77-56 win over UNLV on Saturday night in front of 13,849 in the Pit in Mountain West Conference women's basketball action. The loss leaves both teams tied for fifth in the league at 3-4, and New Mexico improved to 13-7 overall, while UNLV dropped to 9-10 for the season.
The three-point barrage began early, as New Mexico hit three in the first three minutes, two from Brandi Kimble, for a 9-2 edge. After UNLV cut the advantage to 16-11, Katie Montgomery nailed back-to-back-to-back treys for a 25-11 Lobo lead with 10:12 left in the half. Following a Kameca Simmons layup, Amy Beggin responded with another three for New Mexico to ignite a 13-2 spurt. The run was capped by Montgomery's fifth three-pointer of the half, making the score 38-15 with 6:44 on the clock.
The lead grew to as large as 24 in the first half before UNLV ran off eight unanswered, though the Lobos still took a 20-point edge into the break. The Lady Rebels came out fired up to begin the final 20 minutes, scoring six of the first eight points, and cutting the lead to 12 on a layup from Allison Holiday with 14:05 to play, 50-38. UNLV went cold for the next four minutes though, getting just one two-point basket from Sequoia Holmes. New Mexico meanwhile pushed the lead back up to 19, and the closest UNLV got the rest of the game was 13.
Holmes paced the Lady Rebels with 18 points, but she was the only player to finish in double figures. Faye Muller posted nine points and eight rebounds, while Shamela Hampton had eight points and a team-high 11 rebounds. UNLV shot 40.7% (22-of-54) from the floor, but were just 9-of-19 from the charity strip for 47.4%. They also gave up 21 second chance points thanks to 22 offensive rebounds by New Mexico, and finished with season lows in turnovers forced (eight) and steals (four).
Montgomery and Julie Briody both finished with 19 points, and combined for seven of the team's 10 three-pointers. Dionne Marsh posted a double-double of 12 points and 21 rebounds. The Lobos were held to 37.9% (25-of-66) from the floor, but finished the game 10-of-24 from three-point range, though missed all seven attempts in the second half. UNM also shot well at the line, making 17-of-23 for 73.9%.
The Lady Rebels will close out the first half of the regular season on Thursday, Feb. 1, when they host Colorado State in the Cox Pavilion at 7 pm in a game regionally televised by the mtn.
