LAS VEGAS, N.M. - The New Mexico Highlands women's basketball team (0-3) kept the game in single-digits for most of the first half, but Southern Utah (2-0) put together a strong second half as the Thunderbirds pulled away for an 82-64 win Saturday afternoon (Nov. 29).
"I was a little disappointed in our execution today, especially on the defensive end in the first half," head coach
Brianna Snow explained. "We came out a little tentative and it hurt us, but I was proud about of our effort to battle back and get within five points before halftime in what was a very tough trip for us travel-wise, after the Thanksgiving holiday and against a quality opponent like Southern Utah – who was co-champions of the Big Sky Conference last season."
Senior
Anngelina Sanchez had a career night with 25 points on 8-11 shooting and a perfect 8-8 mark from the free throw line. Senior
Jenny Johnson added 11 points while junior
Miranda Martinez dished out seven assists and grabbed six rebounds. Desiree Jackson had 14 points and seven assists for the Thunderbirds while Iva Georgieva came off the bench for 14 points.
Both teams shot 50 percent or better in the first half, but Southern Utah raced out to a 14-point lead and led by seven at the break. With the Thunderbirds leading 43-29 right before half, Highlands scored seven unanswered to pull within five. Sanchez made back-to-back jumpers before a triple by Johnson with 23 seconds cut the deficit to five. However, the Thunderbirds' Jessica Richardson swung momentum back to the home team with a jumper right before half.
Up by five in the second half, Southern Utah scored 18 unanswered in a 5:32 span in the middle of the second half to take control of the game. Highlands trailed by 11 shortly before the spurt, but an old-fashioned three by Johnson cut it to eight before a trey by junior
Brittany Brown cut the deficit to 47-42 with 16:36 remaining in the game.
Both teams went scoreless for the next minute before a jumper by Hailey Mendelko started the run. Another two minutes went by before a Georgieva three jumpstarted 16 Southern Utah points in three minutes.
Added Finch: "We're building and learning from each game. This was another opportunity for us to challenge ourselves so that we are ready when we begin conference play next weekend."
The Cowgirls return to action Tuesday in their final non-conference game Tuesday (Dec. 2) against Texas-Permian Basin. Admission is free to the game beginning at 6 p.m.
iHighkl
