The Lobos got sweet revenge in defeating the University of Wyoming Cowgirls, 70-37, Monday night, at The Pit.
UNM lost to Wyoming 71-58 earlier in the year, but it made sure that there would be no repeat of that this time around.
The Lobos (15-7, 5-4 MWC) played penny-pinching defense in forcing the Cowgirls (15-8, 5-5 MWC) to miss their first 11 shots of the game en route to a commanding 33-6 lead well into the first half.
"If we come out ready to play with that kind of excitement, we're going to do well," UNM guard Cristal Garcia said. "If we play good defense it seems to carry over to our offense."
Offensively, UNM was led by guards Abbie Letz and Garcia throughout the opening period.
Letz had nine points on three-of-three shooting from outside the 3-point line and Garcia added 10 points on a perfect four-for-four shooting in the first half.
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Senior forward Chelsea Grear was an animal on the glass ripping down 11 rebounds.
At the intermission, the Lobos led by a score of 36-18.
The second half started tentatively as UNM slowly got back into its rhythm.
The Lobos got their first bucket of the second period when Grear drove to the lane and layed the ball in nearly four minutes in.
After that, the Lobos relaxed and continued their domination of the Cowgirls.
"I think this time feels like it's better than its record within the conference," head coach Don Flanagan said. "I also feel like they feel like every game is extremely important -- which it is, and so they can't have bad games anymore."
Wyoming tried desperately to get back into the game but was unable to get into any kind of offensive flow. Every UW shot was contested as the UNM defense showed just how well it could play.
Overall, the Cowgirls shot a miserable 24 percent from the floor. UW's leading scorer Carrie Bacon was held to just four points on two-of-six shooting from the field.
When these two teams met up in Laramie earlier this year, Bacon torched the Lobos for 26 points while being guarded mostly by Grear. This time, Grear vowed to not let that happen again. In all she gobbled up 15 rebounds, six offensive, scored 11 points and played relentless defense.
"My main thing is to get offensive rebounds," Grear said. "I tell myself over and over again to get boards. It's heart and determination, not who's the strongest."
Senior center Jordan Adams contributed 10 points and Letz dropped in 11 while Garcia led the way with 16. Forward Melissa Forest also added nine points.
Next up for the Lobos is Colorado State University. The Rams visit The Pit on Saturday for a 7 p.m. game time.
UNM hopes to exact some more revenge on CSU. The Rams beat the Lobos 66-53 on Jan. 23.
