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Lobos thrash Florida, 83-59
The Lobos arrived in Tucson with something to prove.
They turned Mountain West Conference disappointment into NCAA Tournament elation.
Eleventh-seeded New Mexico pulled off its best win of the season, thrashing sixth-seeded Florida 83-59 in the McKale Center Saturday night.
It marked New Mexico's first NCAA Tournament win away from The Pit in program history.
"We were so disappointed with the way we ended the season," senior guard Abbie Letz said. "Everyone came out fired up and ready to show why were ranked in the Top 25 all year. We are a good team and we can play with the best in the country."
The Lobos more than played, they dominated.
New Mexico efficiently picked apart Florida's press, moving past the Gators' first wave of defense to find open looks on the perimeter and inside.
The Lobos played smothering defense, forcing the Gators to rush 3-point attempts from 25 feet.
"We knew we had to play strong defense, help each and close out on the ball no matter where they were at," senior guard Judy Vogt said. "I definitely think that's the best game we've played all year and it's definitely our biggest win since I've been here."
The Lobos jumped out to a quick 11-2 lead, weathered a Florida 8-0 run and never looked back. New Mexico led by 24 points at halftime and as many as 30 points twice during the second half.
The Lobos also won the battle on the boards, out-rebounding Florida 39 to 35.
Senior center Jana Francis led the Lobos with 25 points and five rebounds.
"That was the best game I've ever seen her play," New Mexico coach Don Flanagan said.
Francis said she didn't do anything special before the game to stir up such a dramatic performance.
"I think we were all just determined to show we are good enough to play with anyone," she said. "It did help that Katie (Montgomery) and the guards hit some shots from the outside early, which really opened things and made them play us one-on-one inside."
Montgomery finished with 21 points, five rebounds and five assists, while sophomore forward Dionne Marsh added 18 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Letz led the team with eight rebounds and chipped in five points.
Forward Dalila Eshe led the Gators with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Danielle Santos added 15 points and six rebounds.
"We knew they were talented," senior Florida guard Sarah Lowe said. "We didn't come out with enough focus and composure that we needed to."
So can the Lobos do it again when they face Baylor, the defending national champions, Monday night?
"Definitely," Francis said with a grin. "Why not?"
Posted by ilimon at 11:24 PM | Permalink
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Posted by: Gary Stepic | March 19, 2006 12:20 AM
Only correction that should be made is that was their best half ever. I was debating about staying up to the paper comes, but thanks to Iliana and her story I think i have enough fixes on game posts and stories to maybe try and get some sleep.
Thanks Iliana
Posted by: Kent Argubright | March 19, 2006 08:00 AM
It's a great help to finally get healthy. This is the best shape the team has been in since last Fall.
As I recall, the Utah men lost in the first round of the WAC Tourney the year they made their run to NCAA Championship game. I think there is something to be said for rest and recovery this late in the season. I remember, for years the ACC was the only conference that had a postseason tourney. ACC teams always did poorly in the NCAA's and it was blamed on the extra "money" games they had to play at the end of the year.
Hope this bodes well for Don and the team.
Thanks again Iliana for the timely reporting!
Posted by: spikes | March 19, 2006 08:50 AM
and speaking of reporting, I have to take issue with Fran Fraschilla's comment "We all knew they have a good offense, but they don't get enough credit for their defense." Excuse me (ex)coach, what planet have you been on?
And wasn't the look on coach Mulkey-Robertson's face priceless? She definitely didn't like the look of what she was seeing. I hope Monday proves her concerns are justified.
Posted by: judas_priest | March 19, 2006 06:22 PM
I think you misread Gary's comment regarding the correction. (Working too hard and late, perhaps?) He didn't say it wasn't the best first of the season; he said it was the best Lobo first half, ever.
It was certainly the best first half that I am aware of. I think this could well be the best win, ever since it was away from the pit and against the kind of teama that the Lobos are not supposed to handle - quick and athletic. I hope that Monday proves my judgment premature.
Posted by: Iliana Limon | March 19, 2006 06:25 PM
Good point.
I actually wasn't exactly clear what Gary meant and was hoping he would elaborate.
And I'm curious what others think now that they've had some rest.
Posted by: Gary Stepic | March 19, 2006 08:03 PM
Heck, half the time I don't know what I mean, maybe it's my age. I wasn't really correcting you, just trying to add emphasis on how good I thought that half was.
That game really made me wonder how much the mental aspect is of any game. I think we had some needed rest and players had time to heal, but early in the season every time we went a spell with no game we came out very flat. i also remember our first NCAA game against Miami. We were very tight in that game and I am sure there was some pressure to win, especially since we were expected to win that game. Once we got that monkey off our back we came out loose and hitting our shots, very similar to yesterdays game, against MSU.
I think we were the team with the nothing to lose attitude. I am sure hitting those first few shots also may have set the mental tone for the rest of the game. I think one of the girls in the post game interview made mention of that.
I still don't think I am making a lot of sense because I had a hard time sleeping last night, just a little wound up! Those are the type of sleepless nights i really don't mind though!
Posted by: Ken Johnson (Snu) | March 20, 2006 11:25 AM
When it comes to "best first-halfs," it's had to top the 2003 effort against 3rd seated Mississippi State that propelled us into the Sweet Sixteen. You have to consider the difficulty of opposition. Mississippi State was ranked in the top ten and had just come off a disappointing one-point loss to Tennessee in the SEC tournament championship. The Bulldogs, led by future WNBA stars Latoya Thomas and Tam White struggled up the Pit ramp at halftime exhausted and behind 41-30.
The best 2nd half is no contest, the tournament championship against Utah March 13, 2004. Tied at half 32-32, and with our wounded leader on the bench, we more than doubled the score against the utes, 39-18.
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Posted by: The Big Bad Wolf | March 19, 2006 12:14 AM