The Lobos have to thank Julie Briody.
Without her 13 points, five them ending a painful scoring drought, New Mexico would be a much deeper hole at the half.
The Lobos survived a 16-4 Baylor run and more than five scoreless minutes to enter the locker room down 44-38.
They led by as many as seven at the 8:24 mark, but failed to get cut off the Lady Bears' perimeter shooters after double teaming the low post or cutting off drives. The Lobos know Jordan Davis (#22) is a hot perimeter shooter, but they left her open and she hit three-of-four 3-pointers for nine points.
New Mexico is shooting an impressive 52 percent against Baylor's tight defense, while the Lady Bears struggled for 39 percent field-goal shooting. Baylor out-rebounded the Lobos 21 to 15.
The Dionne Marsh-Sophia Young show has been impressive so far.
Marsh has 15 points and six rebounds, while Young has six points and eight rebounds.
Tight officiating frustrated both coaches.
Baylor's Chameka Scott has 3 fouls andd teammates Abiola Wabara and Angela Tisdale have two apiece. All three are starters.
New Mexico's Abbie Letz picked up two early fouls, then Brandi Kimble and Briody were saddled with two apiece. Lobos coach Don Flanagan took an uncharacteristic gamble leaving Briody in despite the two fouls.
The Lobos didn't back down and didn't look intimidated, but they need a strong second half to pull out a win.

Posted by ilimon at 06:04 PM | Permalink