UNM women face depleted UNLV
Rebels without two starters after brawl
UNLV women’s basketball coach Kathy Olivier will have a lot of talented players on her bench for tonight’s Mountain West battle against visiting New Mexico. Most won’t enter the game. The Mountain West Conference on Tuesday suspended two Rebels starters for one game for their involvement in a brawl during Saturday’s home contest against Utah State. Sophomore center Katie Powell was suspended for fighting, and sophomore forward Paris Strawther was suspended for making physical contact with an opposing player during the ensuing brawl.
Utah State’s Antoina Robinson also received a game ban for fighting and three additional players from each team were issued public reprimands for leaving their respective benches. UNLV coach Kathy Olivier issued a statement Tuesday apologizing for her team’s role in the incident.
The Rebels’ suspensions fig-
ure to loom large in tonight’s game at Cox Pavilion. UNLV (11-5, 2-2 Mountain West) already was playing shorthanded without starting guard Nikki Wheatley (season-ending knee injury) and reserve forward Jordyn Bell (concussion).
But if tonight stacks up as a good time to play the Rebels, UNM coach Mike Bradbury has a different outlook. He expects UNLV to come out focused and perhaps with a chip on its collective shoulder.
“They still have a lot of talent,” Bradbury said. “UNLV has already beaten two Power Five teams (USC and Mississippi) and they’re probably pretty upset right now. We’ve got a big challenge ahead of us.”
UNM (8-6, 4-0) comes in riding a four-game winning streak and can match the program’s bestever conference start with a victory. The 1998-99 Lobos opened Western Athletic Conference play with five straight wins.
But neither Bradbury nor his players expect an easy time against UNLV, which has developed a fairly heated rivalry with UNM in recent years. The Lobos have dropped their last four regular-season meetings in Las Vegas and are just 8-22 at UNLV overall.
No one knows that better than Lobo junior Cherise Beynon, a Las Vegas native who expects to have a group of family members and friends in the stands tonight.
“This game is a big deal to me,” she said, “but I’m really trying to take it as just another game, not overthink it. If we just stick to the way we’ve been playing lately, we’ll be fine.”
Beynon has picked up her already impressive pace during MWC play. She ranks second in conference scoring (22.8 points per game), third in assists (6.3) and first in steals (3.0). She also has provided leadership as the Lobos have emerged as surprise early leaders in the conference race.
“I still don’t know how we really stack up in the league,” Bradbury said. “After our next three games (UNLV, Colorado State, Boise State), I might have a better idea. But I’m really pleased with our work ethic and how much we’ve improved in our last eight games. I only hope that continues.” NIGHT TO FORGET: Lobo junior Alex Lapeyrolerie cannot really describe her feelings about being knocked unconscious during UNM’s Dec. 31 game against San Diego State. Lapeyrolerie suffered a concussion after being hit under the chin by an opponent’s shoulder.
“I don’t remember anything from the time it happened until I was in the ambulance,” Lapeyrolerie said. “People ask me about it but it’s all a blur.”
Lapeyrolerie said it took about four days before she began to feel normal. Her mother traveled from Texas to stay with her during recovery.
“My mom told me I was sleeping about 14 to 16 hours a day,” Lapeyrolerie said. “It was crazy. I really hope that ends up being a one-time experience. Concussions are not fun.”