In a game that had some eerie similarities to UNM’s last loss, a poor third quarter allowed TCU to race back from down seven at the break to take a lead they would hold the rest of the way, as the Horned Frogs defeated New Mexico 81-72, ending UNM’s season at 25-11, one win short of a school record.
The Lobos were looking for a third quarterfinal appearance in the WNIT all-time in six trips, but a 3-for-16 third quarter just couldn’t be overcome.
The loss was similar to UNM’s 69-66 Mountain West Tournament quarterfinal loss to Wyoming in which the Lobos shot 1-for-14 in the third quarter, losing a 15-point lead.
It started out well, the UNM shooting 50 percent in the first half, opening at one point a 34-20 lead, its biggest of the game. A strong opening quarter saw Tesha Buck score eight and Cherise Beynon seven, with Beynon having to deal with two early fouls.
Up 24-17, UNM went on a 10-3 run which ended on a Laneah Bryan three in the corner.
However, after a TCU basket and a UNM miss Beynon was whistled for a very late foul, sending her to the bench, and
TCU was able to whittle the lead down to seven at the break as UNM scored just one field goal the rest of the second quarter.