Lobos’ last-second shot rims out in Mountain West tournament

LAS VEGAS — It doesn't get much more agonizing than that.

The University of New Mexico women's basketball team was a shot away from victory in Sunday's Mountain West tournament quarterfinal against Boise State at the Thomas & Mack Center. Better yet, the Lobos had everything they wanted.

UNM, which overcame a 12-point deficit to grab a fourth-quarter lead, trailed 62-61 after the Broncos' Tatum Thompson hit a baseline jumper with 6.5 seconds left.

That left New Mexico to draw up two plays in the final seconds, and the Lobos executed both to near perfection. After a Broncos foul with 3.5 seconds left, UNM got an inbounds pass to Destinee Hooks for a contested layup attempt. Hooks, who scored a career-best 29 points and fueled UNM's dramatic comeback, went up strong with the potential game-winner but her shot rattled out.

Final: Boise State 62, New Mexico 61. Ouch!

While the outcome came down to the game's final shot, the Lobos (22-10) overcame adversity just to reach that point. UNM shot an ice-cold 25% in the first half, when Hooks and Alyssa Hargrove combined for 21 points and their teammates were a combined 1-for-22 from the field. Boise State led 35-26 at the half.

UNM also hit just 8-for-16 from the foul line — missed points that would come back to haunt them down the stretch.

Still, the Lobos had a quality look for the win.

"We got a point-blank one-footer," UNM coach Mike Bradbury said. "To Destinee's credit, she took it up strong and played through some contact there. Just came up a little short."

The Lobos would not have been in such a position without Hooks, who scored six straight points on strong drives to the basket to give UNM a 61-58 lead with 1:29 remaining.

Boise State's Dani Bayes hit two free throws to make it 61-60, and Hooks' driving shot attempt was blocked on the ensuing possession. After Thompson's jumper gave BSU the lead, Hooks was option No. 1 for UNM — and the junior got the shot she wanted.

"Yeah, I did," Hooks said. "I felt like I had it, but it came up short, so it's unfortunate."

Boise State coach Gordy Presnell conceded that his team dodged a bullet.

"It came down to the last shot," he said. "(The Lobos) ran a good play and (it) didn't fall. We didn't panic. We secured the ball. Game is over, and we get to advance."

Cacia Antonio finished with 12 points and eight rebounds, and Hargrove scored 10 points for the Lobos, who appeared to be in deep trouble early. Boise State (25-8) hit three 3-pointers — including a banked-in Libby Hutton prayer to beat the shot clock — in the second quarter and led 31-19 with two minutes left.

UNM was still down 42-33 midway through the third quarter before turning things around with a 20-10 surge.

"You know, a lot of people could have folded," Bradbury said. "In the first half Boise threw some big punches at us and we couldn't make a shot. We continued to fight and fight and fight and claw our way back into the game and get a lead there late. So I think, the biggest thing is how proud I am of the fight this team showed."

Bayes scored 15 points and Thompson had 13 for the Broncos, who escaped and will next face No. 9 seed Air Force in Monday's semifinals. The Falcons shocked top-seeded San Diego State 83-76 on Sunday to become the first Air Force team (men or women) to win two games in a single MWC tournament.

UNM out-rebounded Boise State 47-39 and outscored the Broncos 34-22 in the paint, but the Lobos struggled from 3-point range (3-for-19) and endured a down shooting game from guards Joana Magalhaes (0-for-5), Nayli Padilla (0-for-7) and Laila Abdurraqib (1-for-5).

The loss dashed UNM's NCAA hopes, but Bradbury said he still hopes the Lobos can continue their season in the WBIT, WNIT or another postseason tournament. UNM athletic director Ryan Berryman said his department will make a decision on postseason opportunities later in the week.

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