Back to the Pit
For the second round of the WNIT, UNM faces Rice in Pit
UNM women’s basketball team faces Rice tonight in a WNIT second-round game
Excuse the University of New Mexico Lobos if they take an extra moment to look around Dreamstyle Arena before tonight’s WNIT second-round matchup against Rice.
Yes, it could be the last Pit game for UNM’s four seniors. It’s also been three weeks since any of the Lobos were in the building.
Coach Mike Bradbury and his players worked through final game preparations Monday at the Davalos Center while clean-up crews labored to transform the Pit back into a basketball arena. The Lobos typically practice in the Pit on the day before a home game but that was not an option because the facility spent three days serving as a rodeo site for the weekend’s annual PBR Ty Murray Invitational.
UNM (24-10) played at Johnson Center for Thursday’s WNIT-opener — an 82-80 victory over Saint Mary’s. Things will get back to normal tonight when the Owls (23-9) land in the Pit. Normal for postseason play, that is. “It’s always exciting playing in front of our home crowd,” senior Laneah Bryan said, “and now we’re in survive-and-advance mode so
there’s extra motivation. For me that means leave it all on the floor.”
Bradbury has taken steps to make sure his players have a little extra in their tanks recently. Monday’s practice was the Lobos’ only full workout since Thursday’s win. They had 1-hour sessions Friday and Sunday and took Saturday off.
He hopes the extra rest pays off against Rice.
“We’ll need a ton of energy on defense,” Bradbury said, “because (the Owls) can flat shoot the 3 and they have two big-time stars. If we don’t get out on them defensively, it’ll be a long night.”
The stars Bradbury referenced are guards Erica Ogwumike and Nicole Iademarco, who combine to average 31.2 points per game. Ogwumike — the younger sister of WNBA standouts Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike — is capable of either hitting a 3-pointer or slashing to the basket. She has 14 double-doubles this season, including a 27-point, 10-rebound effort in the Owls’ 71-60 win over Texas State in round one of the WNIT.
“She can do it all,” Bradbury said.
The 6-foot-1 Iademarco leads Rice with 73 made 3-pointers and is able to post up smaller guards. The former attribute is a primary concern to Bryan.
“Their guards really like to shoot 3’s and they can hit them,” she said. “Guarding the perimeter will be big focus in this game.”
The same figures to be true for Rice after UNM netted 11 3-pointers in its win over St. Mary’s. Cherise Beynon accounted for five of those makes but the Lobos are at their best when other perimeter shooters chip in. That’s what prompted Bradbury to give freshman Jaedyn De La Cerda some first-half minutes against Saint Mary’s.
The Roswell High alum has played sparingly this season because of defensive shortcomings. She’s made strides recently, however, and hopes she’ll get another chance to contribute to UNM’s postseason run.
“It’s fun and nerve-wracking at the same time,” De La Cerda said with a smile. “But it’s good experience for me and it’s fun getting a chance to play with these seniors. Hopefully, we can keep this season going for them.”
Parking for tonight’s game will be free in all lots surrounding the Pit … Tonight’s winner will face TCU (21-12) in the WNIT quarterfinals. The site and time for that matchup will be announced at the conclusion of tonight’s game.