There is a reason why the basketball arena at the University of
New Mexico is called “The Pit.” With 8,929 screaming
fans supporting New Mexico’s women’s basketball team,
the No. 23 Lobos beat UCLA 72-63 in the championship game of
Southwest Airlines Lobo Shootout on Saturday.
Throughout the first half, the Bruins (6-5) kept up with New
Mexico (8-2), a team riding a seven-game winning streak. With eight
lead changes in the first half, the Bruins’ biggest lead of
the game came in the ninth minute when they were up 22-12.
In the first half, UCLA held New Mexico to shooting 50 percent
from the field and 18.2 percent from 3-point range, but the Lobos
went on an 11-4 scoring run to take a 36-35 advantage into
halftime.
New Mexico held onto its lead throughout the second half. Junior
forward Lindsey Pluimer made two free throws with 6:34 remaining to
move the Bruins within one at 54-53, but New Mexico’s senior
guard Julie Briody scored seven straight points to lift her team to
the win.
In the last three minutes of the game, the Bruins ran into foul
trouble. Sophomore guard Tierra Henderson fouled out of the game,
while senior guard Noelle Quinn and sophomore center Chinyere
Ibekwe racked up four fouls each.
“In the last five minutes the crowd was loud, and we were
fouling. (New Mexico) took off after that,” UCLA coach Kathy
Olivier said.
The Bruins, who have been working on their defensive skills for
the past few weeks, played well on the boards, out-rebounding the
Lobos 39-27.
The Lobos also had a difficult time blocking out Pluimer.
Pluimer scored 22 points and finished with nine rebounds.
Olivier said the fans at The Pit also played a role in the
Lobos’ victory. New Mexico has an average attendance of 9,267
fans at home games this season. Considering that the No. 1 UCLA
men’s basketball team has averaged 8,517 fans per game at
Pauley Pavilion this year, The Pit provides one of the premier
venues for women’s basketball games in the country.
“These types of games will make us better. The atmosphere
was intimidating not only for the visiting team but also for the
officials,” Olivier noted. “I think we were called (for
fouls) 27 times versus their 19.”
UCLA reached the championship game of the Southwest Airlines
Lobos Shootout by defeating Delaware State 64-54 behind
Quinn’s 17 points and six assists on Friday.
In the first half, UCLA had trouble containing the
Hornets’ (3-4) full-court press. Delaware State led by one
point at halftime, but UCLA took control of the game after
Henderson hit a 3-pointer in the 13th minute to give the Bruins a
40-38 lead, which they would hold onto.
“Tierra (Henderson) brings the biggest defensive intensity
to the game,” Olivier said. “Her making 3s is a bonus
for us.”
Several players had big offensive nights for the Bruins. Quinn,
Pluimer and senior forward Amanda Livingston all scored in double
digits. Ibekwe scored nine points and finished with a team-high 11
rebounds.
“We improved in taking care of the basketball,”
Olivier said. “Anytime we get a win on the road, it’s a
good thing.”
Pluimer and Quinn were named to the all-tournament team, while
New Mexico’s Briody was the shootout’s MVP.