| |
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- Confidence is a must in close games.
Mississippi State star LaToya Thomas and her teammates had it
Saturday night. New Mexico didn't.
Thomas, the sophomore sensation considered one of the top
players in the country, scored 27 points and the
Bulldogs (No. 14 ESPN/USA Today, No. 15 AP) held off New Mexico 66-59 in the championship game of the
Southwest Airlines Shootout.
"I was strong enough to step up. I think I can make big things
happen," Thomas said of her 35th consecutive game in double-figure
scoring.
"Great programs always have a great player," said Mississippi
State coach Sharon Fanning.
Thomas proved she is, hitting one key basket after another in
the second half as the two teams battled to take control. In the
end, the scoring of Thomas and point guard Cynthia Hall and the
Bulldogs' defensive pressure were the difference.
Mississippi State held New Mexico scoreless over the final two
minutes and once again New Mexico came up short against a ranked
team. The Lobos are 2-9 against Top 25 opponents in the six years
under coach Don Flanagan.
New Mexico earlier this season lost to nationally ranked LSU
54-49 in Albuquerque.
"When you're away, you have to come with a whole lot of
confidence," the noticeably frustrated Flanagan said. "We've been
right there. We had a chance to beat LSU and Mississippi State and
didn't do it. I'm very frustrated because we're not playing these
games for more victories anymore."
Mississippi State (2-1) took the lead for good at 54-51 on
Hall's 3-pointer with 6:16 remaining. Another 3-pointer by Hall,
who finished with 14 points, put the Bulldogs up 63-57 and
Mississippi State protected the lead by getting three offensive
rebounds in the final 1:30.
"The difference was key offensive rebounds, making free throws
down the stretch, Cynthia Hall with a couple of 3s and LaToya and
wanting the basketball," Fanning said.
New Mexico (3-2) got 20 points from Miranda Sanchez and 15 from
Jordan Adams. Sanchez had three 3-pointers, but the rest of the
Lobos went 0-for-10 from behind the arc.
Adams scored eight straight points early in the second half to
lead a 12-4 run that gave the Lobos their biggest lead at 40-35.
Thomas, the leading scorer in the SEC last season as a freshman,
answered with five straight points to tie it with 13:35 left. She and Hall repeatedly hit key baskets the rest of the way.
Thomas, a sophomore, also had 10 rebounds and hit 9 of 10 free
throws.
Flanagan said he believed New Mexico could win if it slowed down
Thomas, who scored 48 points in the Bulldogs' opening season loss
at Memphis earlier in the week.
"I felt if we kept her in the 20s, we could win," Flanagan
said. "But they've got superior kids that can break you down. They
don't even have to run offense. It was a stretch game and we didn't
seem to want it as much as they did."
| |
ALSO SEE
Womens College Basketball Scoreboard
Mississippi State Clubhouse
New Mexico Clubhouse
|
