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02-14-2008, 08:12 AM
Lobo Women Win Sloppy Game Vs. SDSU (Journal)
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Lobo Women Win Sloppy Game Vs. SDSU
By Ken Sickenger
Journal Staff Writer
The UNM women's basketball team wasn't exactly pretty in pink Wednesday night? nor did the Lobos care.
Despite trailing at halftime, despite committing 23 turnovers and missing 11 free throws, and despite allowing San Diego State to finish the game with a 9-2 run, New Mexico pulled out a 63-54 win.
Paced by seniors Dionne Marsh and Brandi Kimble, UNM put together a 26-10, second-half run to earn its 18th consecutive victory over the Aztecs. Marsh finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds, her 12th career double-double, while Kimble added 14 points, six boards and four assists.
The win lifted New Mexico (12-10) into sole possession of fifth place in the Mountain West Conference at 5-5. San Diego State (13-9, 4-6) slipped into sixth place.
A crowd of 8,603? many wearing pink in honor of Think Pink, Breast Cancer Awareness night? enjoyed the victory. The Lobos sported new pink warmup shirts and shoelaces, while coach Don Flanagan recycled the pink shirt and tie he wore Sunday in Wyoming.
"I don't have an extensive pink wardrobe," Flanagan joked, "but I did wash the shirt."
Flanagan admitted he was disappointed with his team's missed free throws and sloppy finish, but he said the unsightly turnover stats were simply a product of SDSU's pressure defense.
"It's gonna be a grind and kind of a sloppy game any time we play (the Aztecs)," he said. "We had 23 turnovers and it felt like 43, but we forced 23 turnovers, too. I guess you just have to say it wasn't that bad."
Though the stat sheet didn't show it, UNM earned the win by controlling the interior. And while San Diego State actually had a 26-24 edge in points scored in the paint, most were on drives and fast breaks.
New Mexico's interior players? Marsh, Angela Hartill and Jessica Kielpinski? combined for 30 points and 22 rebounds. Forward Allison Duffy and post Paris Johnson combined for eight points and both fouled out, though Duffy did grab 12 rebounds.
"We really did a good job on the inside," Flanagan said. "I thought that was probably the key to the game."
The Aztecs gave New Mexico plenty of trouble in the first half, starting the game with an 8-1 run. UNM rallied to lead 13-10 on an Amy Beggin 3-pointer, but the Lobo offense could not find a rhythm against San Diego State's pressure.
"A lot of mental mistakes," Kimble said. "They were in our passing lanes and we didn't handle it very well."
Shannon Clay scored all six of her points during a 10-5 run that put the visitors ahead 26-23. Porche Torrance's layup pulled New Mexico within 26-25 at halftime, but the Lobos hadn't won a previous MWC game this season when trailing at the half.
Flanagan switched things up by starting Geronika Jackson at 3-guard in the second half. In a career-best 23 minutes, Jackson contributed six points, three assists, three rebounds and two steals.
"I just knew I had to take care of the ball and play hard," Jackson said.
The Lobos quickly asserted themselves after halftime, scoring the first seven points .
"The first five minutes of the second half, New Mexico showed their experience and tournament toughness," SDSU coach Beth Burns said. "The physicality changed, the intensity level on the court changed and we pretty much crumbled under it."
San Diego State stayed close for a while, trailing just 37-34 with 9:30 remaining. But Kielpinski and Marsh combined to score 14 of the game's next 16 points.
Wednesday
New Mexico 63 San Diego State 54
Up next
Sunday: New Mexico at TCU, 1 p.m. TV: The Mtn. Radio: KNML-AM (610)
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Lobo Women Win Sloppy Game Vs. SDSU
By Ken Sickenger
Journal Staff Writer
The UNM women's basketball team wasn't exactly pretty in pink Wednesday night? nor did the Lobos care.
Despite trailing at halftime, despite committing 23 turnovers and missing 11 free throws, and despite allowing San Diego State to finish the game with a 9-2 run, New Mexico pulled out a 63-54 win.
Paced by seniors Dionne Marsh and Brandi Kimble, UNM put together a 26-10, second-half run to earn its 18th consecutive victory over the Aztecs. Marsh finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds, her 12th career double-double, while Kimble added 14 points, six boards and four assists.
The win lifted New Mexico (12-10) into sole possession of fifth place in the Mountain West Conference at 5-5. San Diego State (13-9, 4-6) slipped into sixth place.
A crowd of 8,603? many wearing pink in honor of Think Pink, Breast Cancer Awareness night? enjoyed the victory. The Lobos sported new pink warmup shirts and shoelaces, while coach Don Flanagan recycled the pink shirt and tie he wore Sunday in Wyoming.
"I don't have an extensive pink wardrobe," Flanagan joked, "but I did wash the shirt."
Flanagan admitted he was disappointed with his team's missed free throws and sloppy finish, but he said the unsightly turnover stats were simply a product of SDSU's pressure defense.
"It's gonna be a grind and kind of a sloppy game any time we play (the Aztecs)," he said. "We had 23 turnovers and it felt like 43, but we forced 23 turnovers, too. I guess you just have to say it wasn't that bad."
Though the stat sheet didn't show it, UNM earned the win by controlling the interior. And while San Diego State actually had a 26-24 edge in points scored in the paint, most were on drives and fast breaks.
New Mexico's interior players? Marsh, Angela Hartill and Jessica Kielpinski? combined for 30 points and 22 rebounds. Forward Allison Duffy and post Paris Johnson combined for eight points and both fouled out, though Duffy did grab 12 rebounds.
"We really did a good job on the inside," Flanagan said. "I thought that was probably the key to the game."
The Aztecs gave New Mexico plenty of trouble in the first half, starting the game with an 8-1 run. UNM rallied to lead 13-10 on an Amy Beggin 3-pointer, but the Lobo offense could not find a rhythm against San Diego State's pressure.
"A lot of mental mistakes," Kimble said. "They were in our passing lanes and we didn't handle it very well."
Shannon Clay scored all six of her points during a 10-5 run that put the visitors ahead 26-23. Porche Torrance's layup pulled New Mexico within 26-25 at halftime, but the Lobos hadn't won a previous MWC game this season when trailing at the half.
Flanagan switched things up by starting Geronika Jackson at 3-guard in the second half. In a career-best 23 minutes, Jackson contributed six points, three assists, three rebounds and two steals.
"I just knew I had to take care of the ball and play hard," Jackson said.
The Lobos quickly asserted themselves after halftime, scoring the first seven points .
"The first five minutes of the second half, New Mexico showed their experience and tournament toughness," SDSU coach Beth Burns said. "The physicality changed, the intensity level on the court changed and we pretty much crumbled under it."
San Diego State stayed close for a while, trailing just 37-34 with 9:30 remaining. But Kielpinski and Marsh combined to score 14 of the game's next 16 points.
Wednesday
New Mexico 63 San Diego State 54
Up next
Sunday: New Mexico at TCU, 1 p.m. TV: The Mtn. Radio: KNML-AM (610)