The University of New Mexico
Women’s
Basketball team still has a bitter taste in its mouth, from the lose at
New Mexico State
last
year as the Aggie ended a 11 year 22 game
winning streak. The Lobos were
able to
split last year with NMSU winning in the Pit in comeback fashion. Lobos
at 6-1
and Aggies come up North with a record of 3-3 looking to get back in
the Rio
Grand Rivalry as they are down 7.5 to 3.
The Lobos came into the game after
a big win against a Big 12 foe in Nebraska especially playing great in
the 2nd
half as they ran away with the win. The Lobos were looking for their
first
complete game, of the year as they have had moments of greatness and
other not
so good times. But from start to finish this was the game New
Mexico
was looking for, a complete one. As the Lobos ran past the Aggies
80-48.
"I think we
improved for a full game. We played a great second half against
Nebraska and a
poor first half. Tonight we played two outstanding halves. We were
patient and
poised and we haven't been to date. We have been a little nervous, a
little
anxious. We had some young kids and it affects them that way." Coach
Flanagan told the press after the big win.
Two Players on the
inside made this game go from start to finish, Angela Hartill and
Valerie Kast.
To start the game Hartill scored the first seven points and 11of 14 of
UNM
points to jump start the Lobos on offence. The rest of the fist half
the Lobos
never look back as the Lobos built a 36-17 lead at the half.
But the nights belong to
one Lobo, a fan favorite from Estonia via Gallup, NM, Valerie Kast. "I am so
proud of Val (Kast).
She totally deserves this night. She has been working her tail off for
the past
few years and it definitely paid off today. She played really well."
Said Hartill. Maybe it was the Aggies or it
was because the game was on national TV, Valerie shinned like a star
tonight,
scoring 18 and blocking 6 shots. On the great night Kast ended the
first half
with 6 straight points to pad the Lobos lead.
"You know what I like that
she did, she didn't play just good offense, she played good defense.
She kept
her hands up. She helped out from time to time. She bothered the low
post
player. She blocked a lot of shots. She is starting to understand what
we need
for her. If Val comes around we have another low post player, which
gives us
more weapons. I just want to keep improving with this team” Said
Flanagan.
NMSU should be gunning
for the Lobos as they will meet up on the 29th on December
at the Pan American
Center. "It feels pretty good, but in the back of your
mind
you know (NMSU) will be gunning for us when we go down there. It feels
good but
we know we have one more chance at them." Said Hartill
Freshmen updates
Not
to be out done two freshmen are finding
their roles on this year’s team. After spraining her ankle a few games
ago
Lauren Taylor, has been on playing great scoring in double figures
already twice this season and
showing that she is a pure shooter and can hit the three. Sara Halasz
who
creaked the starting
line up at he being of year, as shown she is worth for
and plays
better coming off the bench. Sara has been helping the Lobos pushing
the ball
in transition and finishing on the fast break. Also, she is able to sit
back and
hit the three at times as well.