Nov. 16, 2008

Final Stats

Complete New Mexico Box Score

Albuquerque, NM-Idaho State could not match up against a physical New Mexico team as the Bengals were overcome for an 82-47 loss at The Pit Sunday evening. The Lobos (2-0) were on their game shooting 41 percent from the field, while ISU's rushed offense struggled shooting nearly 26 percent for the game, only 23.1 percent in the first half.

The Bengals, who fell to 0-2 for the season, were out rebounded 47 to 29. New Mexico took advantage of ISU's mistakes as the Bengals had 10 turnovers and the Lobos scored 13 second chance points.

The game started off promising as sophomore Chelsea Pickering sank the first three-pointer of the game, the second time in a row Pickering has opened the scoring of a game. However, the three-pointer would be the only time ISU would lead as New Mexico quickly responded. Pickering played exceptionally well, but her aggressiveness cost the team as she scored eight points for ISU and pulled down four rebounds in just 18 minutes of play before fouling out.

Freshman Sheila Adams posted the team-high nine points, all from her three three-point shots. She was 3-for-9 from the arc. Micelle Grohs played tough and kept the Lobos on their toes. She recorded the team high rebound of eight, all on defense and posted a blocked shot. Grohs was 2-for-9 from the field.

The solid defensive effort by New Mexico was a large contributing factor to hurried shots throughout the game for ISU as it recorded 14-for-54 from the field and 9-of-30 from the arc.

"They play to contain you, and they defend everything well," said head coach Seton Sobolewski about New Mexico.

ISU ended the first half with New Mexico leading 40-20. The Bengals had a solid showing in the start of the second half as they went on a nine-point run reducing the lead to eleven.

"We emphasized being more aggressive," said head coach Seton Sobolewski about the solid start in the second period. "We talked about handling the physical pressure as well."

Verity Peets made a showing in the second half as she went up strong and stepped into New Mexico's Amanda Adamson and Angela Hartill. Peets would not back down and hit the free throw line four times. She produced all of her four points from the line and recorded three rebounds.

New Mexico played a solid game as they were nearly unstoppable on the offense.

"The basket was the size of the ocean for New Mexico," said Sobolewski. The Lobos were certainly zoned-in as they were 8-for-13 from the field (61.5 percent) nine minutes into the game. New Mexico was 14-for-29 in the field and was 5-for-10 from the three point line in the first half that gave the Lobos a solid lead. New Mexico's Jessica Kielpinski only shot three-pointers and was effective as she was 3-of-5 from the arc.

Amy Beggin was solid throughout shooting 5-for-8 with two three-pointers and netting 6-of-6 from the line. The standout player of the game for New Mexico was Angela Hartill who was 6-for-12 from the field and a perfect 8-for-8 at the line. Hartill posted 20 points for New Mexico and pulled down four rebounds.

The Bengals will finish the Travelers Tip-Off Tournament against Alcorn State Monday night at 4 p.m. at The Pit.

Notes: Idaho State out-blocked the Lobos 6-to-4 and recorded five steals.