LOBOS ROLL
UNM women cruise to a big win in the first round of the MWC Tournament
Jaisa Nunn, Tesha Buck and Cherise Beynon played an impressive game of “Can you top this?” during the 2017-18 women’s basketball season.
Each in turn rewrote the University of New Mexico’s single-game scoring record — a mark that previously stood since 1985 — and each carried the Lobos to victory at various times throughout their 22-9 regular season.
All three were rewarded Monday as the Mountain West announced its annual postseason awards. Buck was chosen as the league’s Newcomer of the Year, while Beynon and Nunn were named to the 10-member All-Mountain West Team, selected by a vote of conference coaches. Beynon was also picked for the All-Defensive Team.
It’s the third time Beynon has earned allconference honors in her career and the second straight season she has been an all-defensive team choice. The senior, who has started every game of her UNM career, averages 16.5 points, a Mountain West-best 6.9 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game and ranks second in the league with 69 steals. She also holds the UNM and MWC singlegame scoring record with 41 points, a mark she set against San Diego State.
It was one point better than the 40 points Buck scored against Lamar. The senior transfer from Green Bay still holds the school marks for 3-pointers in a game (10) and in a season (89 before Monday night). She averages 14.4 points per game and leads the Lobos in minutes played.
Nunn briefly held the single-game scoring mark after a 39-point outing against then-No. 16 Marquette. It was one of 17 double-doubles the junior has posted this season and she is the only Mountain West player averaging double figures in points (16.6) and rebounds (10.2).
“I think my parents get more excited about double-doubles now than I do,” Nunn said. “After all, I’ve had 17 of them. I do get kind of sad if I come up one point or one rebound short, though.”
Wyoming’s Liv Roberts, Marta Gomez and Joe Legerski were named MWC player, sixth player and coach of the year, respectively. UNLV’s Brooke Johnson was the top defensive player, while Air Force’s Kaelin Immel was the top freshman.