LAS VEGAS - The UNM women's basketball team proved it can be dangerous, even when star player Dionne Marsh isn't at her best.
The Lobos defeated BYU 59-41 on Wednesday in the first round of the Mountain West Conference Tournament.
UNM head coach Don Flanagan said Marsh is a player who commands defensive attention, but the Lobos have other players who can make opponents pay.
"We've seen the double team throughout the year, obviously, because Dionne's the key," he said. "That frees up our other post player, and Angela (Harthill) has become quite a good player. Now, they really can't do that as much."
With the win, the Lobos will face an unexpected opponent in the second round of the tournament.
No. 9 seed Colorado State, which was 0-16 in regular-season conference play, knocked off No. 1 seed Utah 60-52 on Wednesday. The Utes were ranked No. 12 in the nation and had won 22 games in a row.
But the Rams looked like a different team on Wednesday, upending the powerhouse and setting up a semifinal matchup with UNM on Friday.
The Lobos beat Colorado State on the road 74-47 on Feb. 6 and won 76-45 at The Pit on March 8.
Colorado State head coach Jen Warden said it will not be easy to upset Utah and UNM in back-to-back games.
"What's the average margin of victory in both of our games (against UNM)? 25? ... So (Flanagan is) probably a happy guy right now," she said. "He might have sent me flowers to my hotel room by the time I get back."
In Wednesday's game, the Cougars made it clear early on they were going to force someone other than Marsh to lead the Lobos.
Defenders swarmed around the UNM senior, limiting her touches and shot attempts. Marsh got into foul trouble and only played to 12 minutes of the first half, scoring three points.
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But the Lobos did not panic and responded with a flurry of 3-pointers and key defensive stops.
UNM was 5-of-11 in the first half from 3-point range and finished 7-of-15 from deep.
The Lobos forced 25 turnovers, which they converted into 35 points.
Harthill and Amy Beggin led UNM with 13 points each. Harthill added five rebounds, four assists, a block and a steal. Beggin chipped in with three assists and three rebounds.
Brandi Kimble scored 12 points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds for the Lobos.
BYU head coach Jeff Judkins said his team executed the defensive game plan well, but UNM had too much depth.
"We really wanted to get Marsh out of the game, which you got to give credit to Kimble and Beggin and Harthill," he said. "Those three came and played very well tonight."
The Loboswas up 18-8 with 10:52 left in the first half and didn't give up the double-digit lead the rest of the way. Harthill, Beggin and Kimble each hit 3-pointers in the first 10 minutes to help build the lead.
Anytime BYU seemed poised to go on a run, UNM cut it down with a big defensive play.
Kimble said the Lobos wanted to come out energetic on defense.
"I think we were just pumped up this afternoon to play good defense, and we did a good job," she said.
Beggin said UNM drew enthusiasm out of the Lobo fans who made the trip to Las Vegas for the tournament.
"It's just really special to come running out of that tunnel and see all the Lobo support here," she said. "Just kind of reminds us we do have the best fans in the nation."
BOX
Women's basketball at Mountain West Conference Tournament
MWC Semifinals
No. 4 UNM vs. No. 9 Colorado State
Friday, 1:05 p.m.
