Bruising win: Lobo women fight off Spartans' upset bid

Nothing pretty about it — except the result.

The New Mexico women’s basketball team absorbed its share of punches in Wednesday night’s scrap at San Jose State’s Event Center. The Lobos landed the last big flurry, pulling away late for a 72-65 victory.

Destiny Hooks scored 18 points, nine in the fourth quarter, and UNM did enough to avoid a determined upset bid by the physical Spartans. Five players scored in double figures for New Mexico, including freshman Nayli Padilla who chipped in a season-best 13 off the bench.

The teams traded scoring runs throughout the second half, with San Jose State twice rallying to take the lead. SJSU (10-17, 3-11 Mountain West) led 53-51 after back-to-back baskets by Sydni Summers and Riley Waugh with 5:58 remaining.

That’s when UNM (15-12, 8-6) came off the ropes. After each team converted a three-point play, Amhyia Moreland, Hooks and Alyssa Hargrove scored on a 6-0 run to put the Lobos back in front.

New Mexico broke out a 5-away offensive wrinkle it added during the last week and scored on three straight possessions. UNM finished the game on a 21-12 run to pick up a second straight win and move into fourth place in the Mountain West standings with four games remaining.

Lobos coach Mike Bradbury conceded Wednesday’s game wasn’t necessarily pleasing to the eye. He didn’t mind.

“We played pretty good defense,” Bradbury said, “and in the fourth quarter our offensive execution was as good as it’s been all year. This is the most talented San Jose State’s been since I’ve been here, so getting this win on the road looks pretty good to me. Whatever it takes.”

UNM got 11 points from Hargrove, 10 apiece from Joana Magalhães and Viané Cumber. San Jose State had four players in double figures, led by Finau Tonga with 14 points.

The Lobos threatened to break things open in the first half, leading by as many as 13 points. But the Spartans used their rebounding prowess to stay close, racking up 20 second-chance points to keep things tight.

“We had trouble rebounding all night,” Bradbury said, “but that’s (the Spartans’) strength. We just wanted to contest everything and, for the most part, I thought we did.”

San Jose State shot just 32.8% from the field, while the Lobos hit 43% and came up with a 16-5 advantage in fast-break points. UNM also finished with a 42-26 edge on points in the paint, despite giving up numerous second-chance opportunities.

San Jose State kept its hopes alive at the foul line until the final minute, hitting 7-for-7 at the stripe and trailing just 65-62 with 2:02 left.

But Hooks and Hargrove hit game-changing 3-pointers in the closing minutes, and UNM hit just enough free throws to finally put the win on ice.

“I really like the way we played in the last five minutes,” Bradbury said. “I though Hulda (Joaquim) and Amhyia Moreland gave us a lot of energy, and Nayli had a big night.”

The Lobos return home to face Utah State on Saturday. It will be Senior Day as the Lobos honor Cumber, Joaquim and Moreland during the 2 p.m. contest.

NEW MEXICO (15-12, 8-6 Mountain West): Hooks 8-16 0-0 18, Hargrove 4-5 2-4 11, Magalhães 3-7 4-4 10, Joaquim 3-6 1-4 7, Cumber 3-9 3-4 10, Langermann 0-3 1-2 1, Lauro 0-1 0-0 0, Padilla 4-9 4-5 13, Moreland 1-4 0-0 2. Totals: 26-60 15-23 72.

SAN JOSE STATE (10-17, 3-11 Mountain West): Summers 3-17 5-6 13, Simmons 5-10 1-1 13, Alexander 0-3 0-0 0, Tonga 6-8 2-3 14, Diawara 3-11 3-4 9, Singleton 0-1 0-0 0, Van Schaik 0-0 0-0 0, Brown 1-8 3-4 5, Waugh 4-9 2-2 11, Sgro 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 22-67 16-20 67.

New Mexico 12 18 14 28 — 72

San Jose State 8 18 18 21 — 67

3-point FGs: NM 5-19 (Hooks 2-8, Hargrove 1-1, Cumber 1-3, Langermann 0-1, Lauro 0-1, Padilla 1-5); SJS 5-18 (Summers 2-11, Simmons 2-2, Alexander 0-1, Brown 0-2, Waugh 1-2). Rebounds: NM 40 (Hooks 6, Hargrove 4, Magalhães 2, Joaquim 11, Cumber 6, Langermann 1, Padilla 5, Moreland 2); SJS 42 (Summers 5, Simmons 3, Alexander 2, Tonga 7, Diawara 11, Singleton 2, Brown 6, Waugh 4). Assists: NM 10 (Hooks 3, Hargrove 2, Magalhães 2, Joaquim 1, Cumber 2); SJS 6 (Alexander 1, Diawara 1, Brown 1, Waugh 3). Steals: NM 10 (Hargrove 3, Magalhães 3, Joaquim 1, Cumber 3); SJS 2 (Tonga 1, Waugh 1). Blocks: NM 6 (Hargrove 3, Padilla 1, Moreland 2); SJS 2 (Tonga 2). Turnovers: NM 17, SJS 17. Team fouls: NM 19, SJS 16. Fouled out: None. Technical fouls: None.