PUNISHING WIN
Lobos Endure Bruising Game, Outmuscle Visiting Titans
Lobo women top Cal Fullerton in bruising game
Mixed-martial arts is a fast growing sport that seemed to be on display Tuesday night at the Pit.
Close to 6,000 women’s basketball fans may not have bargained for MMA, but they cheered the University of New Mexico’s bruising 52-43 victory over Cal State Fullerton nonetheless.
Pushing, clutching and slaps loud enough to be heard 10 rows up became the norm in the loosely called contest that had fans loudly booing the officiating crew throughout. But after spending much of the first half on their heels, the Lobos (7-2) became aggressors after halftime.
UNM pounded the ball inside against the Titans’ switching defense and gradually built an 18-point lead. Fullerton’s Chanté Miles scored 10 of her gamehigh 12 points in the final 1:14 to make the final score a bit deceiving.
New Mexico coach Yvonne Sanchez was not satisfied with the finish or the 23 offensive rebounds her team gave up. She was, however, pleased with her players’ hustling defense and the way they adjusted to an unusually rough game.
“The first half was like handto-hand combat,” Sanchez said. “If someone had a sword or nunchucks, it would have really gotten brutal. Luckily, we didn’t.”
Sara Halasz scored nine points to lead a balanced scoring attack for the home team. Nine Lobos scored, with eight collecting four points or more.
Halasz couldn’t help but smile when asked about the physical nature of the game.
“It was most certainly an