The UNM women's basketball team put the clamps on defensively Saturday to defeat the scrappy University of Wyoming Cowgirls 56-41 in The Pit.
The win, combined with Thursday's win against 18th-ranked Colorado State University, put the Lobos in second place in the Mountain West Conference at 6-2, 17-5 overall.
The Lobo defense continues to shine, holding its second straight opponent to a season low in scoring and field goal percentage while tying a school record in blocked shots with 13.
"It's just a lot of heart and determination," sophomore forward Melissa Forest said. "We don't want to lose. If you can keep them from scoring, that's how you win."
Looking fatigued at times, the Lobos struggled in the second half but were able to turn up the intensity in the closing minutes of the game to seal the victory.
Although the Lobos held Wyoming to 20 percent shooting, UNM also struggled offensively, finishing at 39 percent.
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"We are very satisfied with our defense, but our offense, we couldn't get things clicking," assistant coach Ed Wyant said.
The Lobos dominated the first half, taking a 27-18 lead into the locker room at halftime.
They started the second half in much the same fashion, stretching the lead to 41-26 with less than 10 minutes left.
"I though New Mexico did a really nice job defensively," Wyoming coach Cindy Fisher said. "I think that they took away some of our strengths."
The Lobos were led by junior center Jordan Adams, who at one point scored eight consecutive points. She lost her touch momentarily after a Wyoming timeout at the seven-minute mark though, missing her next four field goal attempts. The Cowgirls clawed their way back into the game during the drought, using a 12-3 run to cut the lead to 46-40 behind guard Carly Stucky and relentless full-court pressure.
However, the Lobos would shut the door in the remaining two minutes. Freshman guard Stephanie Shaw put the Lobos lead back into double digits with a clutch runner down the baseline as the shot clock expired to extend the lead to 50-40. Wyoming was unable to mount another comeback as UNM pulled away to win 56-41.
Adams broke out of her recent scoring slump to lead UNM with 17 points. Junior forward Chelsea Grear also sparked the Lobos, coming one rebound shy of recording her second straight double-double with 11 points and nine boards.
The Lobos have struggled to score the last couple of games and Wyant said the offensive slump is starting to concern him.
"We're going to continue to play great defense, once our offense gets clicking, look out," he said. "This could be a very dangerous ball club, but it's got to be both elements. The defense is going to be there, but the offense is hit or miss at this point."
Carrie Bacon led Wyoming in scoring with 14 points.
UNM trailed only once in the game, down 2-0 after the Cowgirls scored the first basket of the opening half. The Lobos would answer by going on a 15-4 run, helped by 12 straight missed shots by Wyoming. UNM would lead comfortably the rest of the half as the Cowgirls never got closer than seven points.
The Lobos next home game is Thursday against the Air Force Academy at 7 p.m.
