LOBOS TO FACE ENMU IN THE PIT
Shaiquel McGruder hopes the lessons she learned last year as a sophomore are going to pay off.
Shaiquel McGruder had some highlightreel moments, but she also took her lumps as a freshman last season.
The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team’s 6-foot forward had a new system to learn and a pair of talented seniors to deal with every day at practice. McGruder often drew the assignment of guarding Jaisa Nunn or Nike McClure during workouts, which was a matter of short-term pain and long-term gain.
“Practicing against them and playing with them helped me,” McGruder said. “I was learning and thinking a lot but they talked to me and gave me advice. I think it’s paying off now.”
McGruder’s performance in Sunday’s exhibition win over Colorado-Colorado Springs — 14 points, six rebounds, five blocks in 14 minutes — was certainly eyecatching. And with Nunn and McClure now playing professionally in Europe, McGruder has an opportunity to elevate her playing status.
The Lobos host Eastern New Mexico on
Wednesday night for their final exhibition game, and McGruder figures to be one of the first players coming off coach Mike Bradbury’s bench.
“I think Shai’s a little bit stronger,” Bradbury said, “and just a year older and better. She’s playing quicker, not physically so much as mentally, and that’s a big deal. Quickness is a big part of her game.”
McGruder’s quickness and length make her a difficult matchup, especially when the Lobos’ transition game is clicking. The Trotwood, Ohio, native also has excellent hands, which encourages teammates to look for her in the open court. McGruder is adept at finishing (she was 6 for 6 from the field Sunday) and is looking to replace some of the rebounding UNM lost with Nunn and McClure.
“I see myself progressing,” she said. “I feel like I need to rebound more this year and always bring the energy when I come in the game.”
Bradbury was pleased with his team’s effort level against UCCS and hopes to see more of the same Wednesday night. All 12 Lobos in uniform logged 6 minutes or more and 11 scored against the Mountain Lions.
Exhibition game No. 2 figures to be tougher, as ENMU is coming off a 19-11 season and an NCAA Division II Tournament berth. The Greyhounds lost two key contributors in top scorer Treyanna Clay and forward Shelby Jones, but coach Josh Prock’s team has enough talent to own a
No. 8 ranking in Division II’s South Central Region this preseason.
“They’re completely different from Colorado Springs,” Bradbury said, “and a lot better. Josh Prock is one of the best coaches we’ll play against. They set a ton of screens and it’s a huge contrast from the team we just played. It’ll be really good preparation.”
Eastern New Mexico’s roster features eight in-state players, including Hope Christian graduate Alivia Lewis and Rio Rancho High alums Kamirah Decker and Julia Chavez. Wednesday night’s game will be the last of three challenging road exhibitions for the Greyhounds, who lost at UTEP (84-64) and Arizona (8538) over the weekend.
Bradbury plans to employ the same starting lineup he used Sunday: Jayla Everett, Ahlise Hurst, Najala Howell, Jordan Hosey and Bride Kennedy-Hopoate.
“I was pretty happy when I watched Sunday’s video,” Bradbury said. “There were no glaring problems; we just need general improvement. Sunday was better than expected.”