by Audra Meiklejohn
Daily Lobo
Sophomore Mandi Moore has not ceased to amaze basketball fans in her role as UNM's starting point guard.
Moore took the Mountain West Conference by storm and was named MWC Newcomer of the Year last season. She was also named to the All-Conference Third Team, an honor that usually takes years to earn. Moore received these titles after her outstanding performance in her NCAA debut last year.
As a freshman, Moore led the entire MWC in assists, with 146 on the year. She also led the Lobos in steals and 3-point field goals. Overall, Moore scored the third most points for UNM in 2001-2002. She started every game last season and averaged more minutes per game then anyone on the team.
Moore's basketball career began at a young age and she has loved the game ever since. "I was pretty young when I started playing -- probably elementary school," Moore said. She continued to excel at her game throughout middle school, but found the competition tough in high school.
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The 20-year-old out of Canyon, Texas graduated from Canyon High school in 2001. Averaging 12 points, seven assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game her senior year, Moore was named Most Valuable Player in 3A and 4A class high schools. She was also named to two all-star teams her senior year, and the Amaraillo Globe News super team. Moore led Canyon High School to the state championship in 2000.
"I went to high school with two all-American Post Players, and played at a big school. I was no super star," she said.
Moore chose to come to school at UNM after she met some of her future teammates and saw the warm, friendly community.
"When I came down here the first time I decided I really liked it," Moore said. "I really liked the girls and how well they got along together -- and I liked all the fan support."
Moore immediately made an incredible impact on the Lobo team. She surpassed every expectation last year as a freshman, and continues to do so this year. She is still improving rapidly.
"I really believe in myself, and I new I had it in me. I just had to show people."
On Dec. 3, Moore tied her personal record by scoring 20 points against New Mexico State. Saturday night Moore dished out 12 assists against Air Force, a career-high. Moore will break a UNM record this season if she is able to hand-out 200 assists -- a goal that is well within her reach. Moore set another personal record Saturday night at the free throw line, shooting 100 percent. Moore has played all 40 minutes in four games so far this season.
This will be a big week for Moore, as the Lobos will meet the Colorado State Rams Thursday night in Fort Collins, and the University of Wyoming Cowboys in Laramie. Moore considers CSU a personal rival.
"We went there last year and lost to CSU, so we're hoping to go down there and pull out a win. We need to get as many road-game wins as we can," Moore said.
