UNM uses big third quarter to rip Utah State

Lobos go on 22-1 run behind 3-ball

LOGAN, Utah — It took the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team a half to warm up in snowy Logan on Wednesday night. In the second half the Lobos sizzled.

Alex Lapeyrolerie scored a team-high 21 points and ignited a pivotal 22-1 run that helped UNM grab a 68-58 victory over Utah State at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. The Lobos (10-9, 6-3 MWC) trailed 30-24 at halftime but shot 58.6 percent from the field and hit eight of their 11 3-pointers in the second half.

Cherise Beynon contributed 15 points (12 in the second half) and seven assists as New Mexico completed a season sweep of the Aggies (9-10, 2-6). Mykiel Burleson (13 points) and Jaisa Nunn (11) also scored in double figures for the Lobos.

UNM’s performance level changed drastically in the second half, but coach Mike Bradbury offered a simple explanation.

“Our effort was so much better in the second half,” Bradbury said in a postgame phone interview. “We defended much better, we got pretty much every loose ball — and we made shots. But I think the hustle and the defense really ignited the offense.”

Except for a brief tie at 21, Utah State led throughout the first half. Rachel Brewster, who scored a game-high 22 points, hit a 3-pointer to cap a 9-0 Aggies run late in the second quarter.

USU’s Shannon Dufficy hit the first basket of the second half to give her team a 32-24 lead, but the game turned dramatically at that point. Burleson swished a 3-pointer to start the Lobos on a 17-0 tear.

After an Aggies free throw, Burleson hit another 3 and Nunn scored inside to cap the 22-1 surge. UNM led 46-33 with 3 minutes left in the third quarter, and the Aggies never got closer than an eight-point deficit the rest of the way.

It was part of a strong game for Burleson, who collected eight rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal after returning to the starting lineup. Burleson did not start in UNM’s loss at Wyoming on Saturday because she missed the team bus from the hotel to the arena.

“When (Burleson) is mentally ready to play, she’s capable of games like this,” Bradbury said. “She was very efficient and pretty darn good tonight.”

The one Lobo who did not enjoy the trip to Logan was Richelle van der Keijl, who was doubleand triple-teamed throughout the game. Van der Keijl picked up a late frustration technical and fouled out with four points.

“If they’re going to commit their whole team to stopping Richelle,” he said, “that means Alex and Mike (Burleson) will be wide open. You have to make the defense pay for that, and tonight we did.”

Lapeyrolerie and Burleson hit four 3-pointers apiece for the Lobos, while Beynon added three.