MAINIAC
02-12-2008, 08:36 AM
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Cowgirls Look Like Lobo Women of Old
By Ken Sickenger (http://www.abqjournal.com/cgi-bin/email_reporter.pl)
Journal Staff Writer
The UNM women's basketball team is getting a taste of its own medicine this Mountain West Conference season.
Its flavor is bitter.
With the Lobos struggling to put 40 solid minutes together, MWC rivals are paying back past frustrations. No. 22 Wyoming was the latest to pin a little retaliation on New Mexico, dishing out a 70-55 whipping Sunday in Laramie.
"We really didn't want to let them stay close," Wyoming's Dominique Sisk said afterward. "That happened last year and they ended up beating us twice, including in the conference tournament."
Added Cowgirls teammate Jodi Bolerjack, "We came out with the mind-set 'We're going to win this game.' ''
It was an odd setting for the Lobos and coach Don Flanagan. Wyoming (19-3, 7-2) was the nationally-ranked favorite with a large, supportive crowd on its side. New Mexico (12-10, 4-5) faced an uphill battle from the start.
"I guess this is what teams usually experience in our gym," UNM freshman Jessica Kielpinski said.
The words were music to the ears of fifth-year Cowgirls coach Joe Legerski.
"The Pit has a special atmosphere," Legerski said, "It's always been tough to win there.
"New Mexico's been a great model for us, and we're trying to build a Pit-style environment here."
Arena Auditorium, locally nicknamed the Dome of Doom, seemed to accomplish Legerski's objective Sunday. Apparently flustered by the 5,512 boisterous Cowgirl fans, the Lobos turned the ball over 10 times on their first 14 possessions.
Fired-up Wyoming took full advantage, scoring 16 points off the turnovers and building a cushy 18-2 lead UNM would never overcome.
"Wyoming's a good team," Lobo point guard Amy Beggin said. "They're ranked 22nd in the country for a reason. When you give them a big lead like that right away, you're in trouble."
After the disastrous start, UNM actually outscored Wyoming for the final 32 minutes. It wasn't nearly enough.
New Mexico has been plagued by prolonged scoring droughts in most of its losses this season. They've been particularly damaging in conference defeats dealt by TCU, Brigham Young, Utah and now Wyoming.
Beggin referred to her team's early struggles as "playing scared," and said the Lobos must be more willing to attack the basket against quality opponents.
New Mexico's confidence level certainly seems to fluctuate depending on the opponent. After looking calm and assertive in one-sided wins over UNLV and Colorado State, the Lobos seemed nervous and tentative in Sunday's early minutes.
One positive note was the play of UNM's bench, which outscored Wyoming's 32-12. Kielpinski and Geronika Jackson led the way, combining to hit 8-of-11 field goal attempts and score 22 points.
On the other hand, UNM's starters were 7-of-37 from the field and were outscored 58-23 by Wyoming's first five.
"(The Cowgirls) did a good job feeding off the crowd," Kielpinski said. "We need to take advantage of our fans like that."
UNM senior Brandi Kimble acknowledged that conference foes play extra hard against the Lobos. If the Lobos are to avoid further payback from MWC contenders, they'll have to play 40 strong minutes instead of 30 or 32.
"You're not gonna win with seven turnovers before you score," Beggin said. "We tried to battle back, but that's tough. We need to step up and play the entire game."
THINKING PINK: The Lobos took part in Wyoming's breast cancer awareness promotion Sunday, sporting pink warmup jerseys and shoelaces. Flanagan broke out a new pink shirt and tie.
It didn't stop there, as numerous fans wore various shades and the game officials used pink whistles. Even Wyoming mascot Cowboy Joe sported a fashionably questionable pink shirt under his vest and gunbelt.
Numerous women's basketball teams wore pink uniforms Sunday as part of a national campaign that continues through Wednesday. New Mexico will host its Think Pink game Wednesday against San Diego State. Fans buying pink Lobo apparel at local FANZZ and LIDS can receive four free tickets to the game with qualified purchases.
Up next
Wednesday: San Diego State at New Mexico, 7 p.m. Radio: KNML-AM (610)
Cowgirls Look Like Lobo Women of Old
By Ken Sickenger (http://www.abqjournal.com/cgi-bin/email_reporter.pl)
Journal Staff Writer
The UNM women's basketball team is getting a taste of its own medicine this Mountain West Conference season.
Its flavor is bitter.
With the Lobos struggling to put 40 solid minutes together, MWC rivals are paying back past frustrations. No. 22 Wyoming was the latest to pin a little retaliation on New Mexico, dishing out a 70-55 whipping Sunday in Laramie.
"We really didn't want to let them stay close," Wyoming's Dominique Sisk said afterward. "That happened last year and they ended up beating us twice, including in the conference tournament."
Added Cowgirls teammate Jodi Bolerjack, "We came out with the mind-set 'We're going to win this game.' ''
It was an odd setting for the Lobos and coach Don Flanagan. Wyoming (19-3, 7-2) was the nationally-ranked favorite with a large, supportive crowd on its side. New Mexico (12-10, 4-5) faced an uphill battle from the start.
"I guess this is what teams usually experience in our gym," UNM freshman Jessica Kielpinski said.
The words were music to the ears of fifth-year Cowgirls coach Joe Legerski.
"The Pit has a special atmosphere," Legerski said, "It's always been tough to win there.
"New Mexico's been a great model for us, and we're trying to build a Pit-style environment here."
Arena Auditorium, locally nicknamed the Dome of Doom, seemed to accomplish Legerski's objective Sunday. Apparently flustered by the 5,512 boisterous Cowgirl fans, the Lobos turned the ball over 10 times on their first 14 possessions.
Fired-up Wyoming took full advantage, scoring 16 points off the turnovers and building a cushy 18-2 lead UNM would never overcome.
"Wyoming's a good team," Lobo point guard Amy Beggin said. "They're ranked 22nd in the country for a reason. When you give them a big lead like that right away, you're in trouble."
After the disastrous start, UNM actually outscored Wyoming for the final 32 minutes. It wasn't nearly enough.
New Mexico has been plagued by prolonged scoring droughts in most of its losses this season. They've been particularly damaging in conference defeats dealt by TCU, Brigham Young, Utah and now Wyoming.
Beggin referred to her team's early struggles as "playing scared," and said the Lobos must be more willing to attack the basket against quality opponents.
New Mexico's confidence level certainly seems to fluctuate depending on the opponent. After looking calm and assertive in one-sided wins over UNLV and Colorado State, the Lobos seemed nervous and tentative in Sunday's early minutes.
One positive note was the play of UNM's bench, which outscored Wyoming's 32-12. Kielpinski and Geronika Jackson led the way, combining to hit 8-of-11 field goal attempts and score 22 points.
On the other hand, UNM's starters were 7-of-37 from the field and were outscored 58-23 by Wyoming's first five.
"(The Cowgirls) did a good job feeding off the crowd," Kielpinski said. "We need to take advantage of our fans like that."
UNM senior Brandi Kimble acknowledged that conference foes play extra hard against the Lobos. If the Lobos are to avoid further payback from MWC contenders, they'll have to play 40 strong minutes instead of 30 or 32.
"You're not gonna win with seven turnovers before you score," Beggin said. "We tried to battle back, but that's tough. We need to step up and play the entire game."
THINKING PINK: The Lobos took part in Wyoming's breast cancer awareness promotion Sunday, sporting pink warmup jerseys and shoelaces. Flanagan broke out a new pink shirt and tie.
It didn't stop there, as numerous fans wore various shades and the game officials used pink whistles. Even Wyoming mascot Cowboy Joe sported a fashionably questionable pink shirt under his vest and gunbelt.
Numerous women's basketball teams wore pink uniforms Sunday as part of a national campaign that continues through Wednesday. New Mexico will host its Think Pink game Wednesday against San Diego State. Fans buying pink Lobo apparel at local FANZZ and LIDS can receive four free tickets to the game with qualified purchases.
Up next
Wednesday: San Diego State at New Mexico, 7 p.m. Radio: KNML-AM (610)