No. 21 New Mexico (11-3) used smothering defense and steady shooting knock off No. 22 Utah (9-3) by a score of 59-42 in The Pit.
The Lobos pounced early, holding Utah to 17 first-half points on 19.4 percent field-goal shooting.
New Mexico's defense held up throughout the game, holding Utah to a season-low 42 points on 26.2 field goal shooting and a 14.8 effort from 3-point range.
Senior all conference forward Kim Smith finished with six points on 3-of-11 shooting. The Lobos broke Smith's 50-game streak of scoring in double figures.
The Lobos also held Shona Thorburn, Utah's typically hot-handed senior all-conference guard to five points on two-of-15 shooting.
"I think defense was really important for us," junior point guard Katie Montgomery said. "We tried to come out strong and go after them."
Sophomore guard Brandi Kimble posted one of her best games of the season, leading the Lobos in scoring with 16 points. She also had four rebounds, four assists, three steals and no turnovers in 31 minutes.
"I think we all wanted to get off to a really strong start out there," Kimble said.. "It was an important conference game for us and we were all really focused."
Sophomore forward Dionne Marsh finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, two blocks one assist and two turnovers. Montgomery added 14 points, six rebounds, four assists and two turnovers.
New Mexico has little time to savor the victory, it's sixth straight win over the Utes. The Lobos hit the road at 8 a.m. Friday in preparation for Saturday's game at Colorado State. The Rams narrowly earned a 68-65 home win over San Diego State Thursday night.

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