Gambling defense sparks Lobo women to road win at SDSU

A risk-reward strategy paid off handsomely for the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team Saturday.

The Lobos gambled on defense, effectively shut down San Diego State and pulled off their best win thus far this season — a 68-59 road victory over the Aztecs at Viejas Arena.

UNM won for the fifth time in six games and improved to 10-6 overall, 3-0 in Mountain West play. Even more impressive, the Lobos are 2-0 on the road in league play, including Saturday’s win over SDSU (12-4, 1-2).

Asked if this was his team’s best performance of 2024-25, UNM coach Mike Bradbury did not hesitate.

“Yes, without a doubt,” he said in a postgame phone interview. “We played really hard, everyone who got in the game contributed and we beat one of the best teams in the conference. Really good win — especially on the road.”

Destinee Hooks scored a game-high 18 points, Alyssa Hargrove and Viané Cumber added 12 apiece, and the Lobos led nearly all the way. UNM had to fight off several SDSU rallies after building a 13-point, third-quarter lead, but the visitors came up with key points and key stops when it needed them.

The biggest key for New Mexico was an aggressive defense that kept the Aztecs off balance throughout the game. The Lobos double-teamed off SDSU ball screens, attacked the passing lanes and ended up with 10 steals and 18 forced turnovers.

UNM turned the ball over 14 times, but won the points-off-turnovers battle 16-9. The Aztecs shot just 40% from the field and finished 12 points below their season scoring average.

“San Diego State is so talented, we felt like we had to take some chances,” Bradbury said. “We had kind of a difficult game plan defensively, but our players were right on point executing it. You almost never win the turnover battle against San Diego State. We did it today. I’m really proud of our team.”

SDSU scored the first four points of the game, but UNM answered with an 8-0 run and would not trail again. Hooks did not start, which Bradbury called a “coaching decision,” but she entered the game midway through the first quarter with the Lobos leading by a point.

The score remained close through the second quarter, with SDSU trailing 25-24 after a 3-pointer by Erin Houpt. UNM countered with a 3-pointer by Paris Lauro to take a 28-24 lead to halftime. Lauro finished with five points and hit both of her shot attempts in eight effective minutes.

The Lobos began to build their advantage in the third quarter, hitting five of their first seven shots including two Lara Langermann jumpers and a pair of 3-pointers by Hargrove. A driving layup by Hooks gave UNM its largest lead, 46-33, with 4:10 left in the quarter.

SDSU battled back, scoring eight straight points to trim the deficit to 53-48 early in the fourth, but the Lobos refused to fold. Amhyia Moreland, Hargrove and Joana Magalhães hit key baskets, and Cumber hit four straight free throws to help put the win away.

Cumber went 6-for-6 from the foul line in the game to extend her program-record streak to 46 consecutive made free throws.

“If we can just put ourselves in position, V (Cumber) can get us to the finish line,” Bradbury said. “Destinee came up big again today, but we had a lot of people step up and hit big baskets. That’s so important because it forces (the Aztecs) to defend everyone and lets us keep the floor spread.”

Saturday’s win started a brutal Mountain West stretch for the Lobos, who host contenders Wyoming and UNLV on Wednesday and Sunday, respectively, then travel to Colorado State.

UNLV, Wyoming and CSU were picked to finish 1-2-3 in the league this season. SDSU was picked fifth followed by UNM.

LOBOS 68, AZTECS 59

NEW MEXICO (10-6, 3-0): Hargrove 5-8 0-0 12, Langermann 3-6 0-0 6, Magalhães 2-7 1-3 5, Joaquim 3-7 0-0 6, Cumber 3-11 6-6 12, Hooks 6-15 5-5 18, Lauro 2-2 0-0 5, Padilla 0-0 0-0 0, Moreland 2-3 0-0 4. Totals: 26-59 12-14 68.

SAN DIEGO STATE (12-4, 1-2): Houpt 3-6 0-0 9, Sheffey 4-8 5-6 14, Fiso 0-5 0-0 0, Villalobos 4-8 2-7 10, Clark 2-2 0-0 4, Green 2-4 0-0 5, Hamilton 0-0 0-0 0, Barnhard 0-2 0-0 0, Martinez 1-2 0-0 3, Panganiban 2-8 1-2 6, Quezada 4-8 0-0 8. Totals: 22-55 8-15 59.

New Mexico 14 14 25 15 — 68

San Diego State 9 15 21 14 — 59

3-point FGs—UNM 4-15 (Hargrove 2-3, Langermann 0-2, Magalhães 0-2, Cumber 0-3, Hooks 1-4, Lauro 1-1); SDSU 7-21 (Houpt 3-5, Sheffey 1-2, Fiso 0-4, Green 1-3, Martinez 1-2, Panganiban 1-4, Quezada 0-1). Rebounds—UNM 34 (Hargrove 5, Langermann 2, Magalhães 4, Joaquim 5, Cumber 8, Hooks 4, Lauro 1, Moreland 2); SDSU 35 (Houpt 1, Sheffey 5, Fiso 1, Villalobos 5, Clark 7, Hamilton 1, Barnhard 1, Martinez 3, Panganiban 6, Quezada 5). Assists—UNM 9 (Hargrove 1, Langermann 2, Magalhães 2, Hooks 3, Moreland 1); SDSU 16 (Houpt 3, Sheffey 3, Fiso 1, Villalobos 1, Clark 1, Green 2, Hamilton 3, Panganiban 2). Steals—UNM 11 (Hargrove 3, Magalhães 2, Joaquim 2, Cumber 3, Hooks 1); SDSU 3 (Sheffey 1, Clark 1, Hamilton 1). Blocks— UNM 0; SDS 5 (Sheffey 1, Fiso 1, Villalobos 2, Martinez 1). Turnovers—UNM 14, SDSU 18. Team fouls—UNM 16, SDSU 16. Fouled out—None. Technical fouls—None.