We have lift off: Lobos stifle Houston in the Pit

Saturday night started as a bit of a grind for the UNM women's basketball team. It ended as a romp.

Jesse Joaquim racked up a double-double (13 points, 12 rebounds) off the bench and the Lobos rode stifling defense to a 63-41 victory over Houston in the Pit. UNM improved to 8-3 and picked up needed momentum heading into Wednesday's Mountain West opener against Boise State.

Joaquim's point and rebound totals were both team highs and personal season highs, but they were once again part of a balanced effort by the Lobos. Destinee Hooks (12 points), Alyssa Hargrove (11) and Joana Magalhães (10) also reached double figures for UNM, which had 10 players log 11 minutes or more and no one exceeding 23 minutes.

It wasn't always the prettiest of games, particularly in the second quarter when the teams combined to go 6-for-33 from the field. But New Mexico found its offensive rhythm in the second half and continued to frustrate the visiting Cougars, who shot just 22.8% for the game.

"I thought defensively we were good pretty much all night," Lobos coach Mike Bradbury said. "Offensively, we were not so good in the first half, much better in the second half and our ball movement got a lot better."

UNM had nearly as many steals (12) as Houston had field goals (13) and forced the Cougars into difficult shots throughout the game. The Lobos finished with a 36-10 advantage on points in the paint.

"We knew Houston was aggressive and fast," said Hargrove, who had a team-best three steals. "We had to match that aggressiveness and keep them from getting inside without fouling. For the most part, I thought we did a good job of that."

The Lobos also got a big night from Joaquim, who had played sparingly recently but went 6-for-8 from the field Saturday. The 6-foot-2 junior saw extended action because senior post Clarissa Craig missed the game with knee soreness and starter Emma Najjuma spent much of the night in foul trouble.

"The coaches always tell me to stay ready," Joaquim said. "I was ready to do my part and just happy to help the team."

UNM led for 38 minutes and never trailed, but it took the home team a while to find steady scoring production. Leading 21-11 after one quarter, the Lobos scored just six points in the second and took a 27-21 edge to halftime.

"Houston likes to pressure and force turnovers," Bradbury said, "and we weren't high enough or wide enough with our offense. In the third and fourth quarters we spread things out, got four or five back-cuts and moved the ball the way we should have in the first half."

Hooks buried a 3-pointer and cashed in a put-back during a 9-0 Lobos run early in the third quarter, firing up a crowd of 4,467 and steadily building its lead to 47-32 by quarter's end. Joaquim helped put the finishing touches on the win by scoring seven of her points in the fourth quarter.

"It was choppy at times but it was high-pressure, up-and-down basketball," Bradbury said. "I think playing so many people kind of helped us wear them down in the second half."

UNM will go into MW play having won two straight and four of its last five. The Lobos will face two top contenders in Boise State and UNLV to open league competition.

"It's a tough opening schedule," Bradbury said, "but we're looking forward to it. I think we're ready."