Lobo women face elite-level foe in Gonzaga
Talented 20th-ranked Zags have been building toward 2023-24
The other end of the spectrum — that’s what awaits the UNM women’s basketball team Friday in Spokane, Washington.
Coming off a home game against overmatched Western New Mexico, the Lobos square off against one of the NCAA’s best in No. 20 Gonzaga at the McCarthey Athletic Center.
The Bulldogs are likely better than their ranking or 12-2 record suggests. Ask then No. 3 Stanford, which absorbed a 96-78 beat-down earlier this month in Spokane. Both or the Zags’ losses came away from home against nationally ranked opponents.
UNM coach Mike Bradbury came away from video study duly impressed.
“This is what elite-level basketball looks like,” he said. “This is the best Gonzaga team I’ve seen. They’re a step up from the Mountain West or anyone else we’ve played, we’re talking Elite Eight quality at minimum.”
The Bulldogs have become NCAA Tournament regulars under 10th-year coach Lisa Fortier, but 2023-24 appears to be the season Gonzaga has been building toward. All five starters are either fifthyear seniors or grad students, and all five can light it up on any given day.
Most notable are post Yvonne Ejim and twin guards Kaylynne and Kayleigh Truong. Ejim ranks second nationally in made field goals and fifth in scoring at 20.8 points per game. The Truong sisters have combined for 65 3-pointers (both are shooting better than 39% from long range) and 152 assists.
“The ball goes through (Ejim) and she’s a handful inside,” Bradbury said, “and the twins are very dynamic players who can shoot from anywhere or put it on the floor. But you can’t get caught helping out too much because their other two starters can shoot the heck out of it. Defending them is a challenge for anyone.”
That certainly includes UNM (9-3), which has leaned heavily on its defense this season. The Lobos are allowing just 59.3 points per game but they have not faced the likes of Gonzaga, which averages 82 points per contest.
New Mexico’s busy schedule has eased of late, with just one game over the last 12 days. That has allowed Bradbury and his staff to add some new defensive wrinkles, some of which will likely be unveiled against Gonzaga.
“We’ll mix it up defensively as much as we can,” Bradbury said. “On the other end, the biggest thing is to run our offense effectively, be patient and get good shots. If we do that, we’ll live with the results.”
UNM’s offense has been streaky, particularly its perimeter shooting, which had been a strength in recent years. But with starting guards Viané Cumber and Aniyah Augmon back from shoulder injuries, the Lobos are in better shape to face a stiff final test before beginning Mountain West play Dec. 30 at Nevada.
NCAA women’s basketball venues don’t get much tougher than the McCarthey Center, where Gonzaga has won 25 games in a row. The Zags average 5,173 fans per home game this season.
“It’s a big challenge, no question,” Bradbury said, “but we’re looking forward to playing someone that good in that kind of environment. Let’s go test ourselves, see how we do.”
Friday’s game is the opener of a home-and-home contract that brings Gonzaga to the Pit next season. The Lobos will break for Christmas following Friday’s contest with players released until Dec. 26.