Ledes from the Land of Enchantment

LaToya Duff is “a game-time decision” for the Lobo Women’s rematch against Aggies

LaTora Duff (5) drives in the Lobos’ home win against Soufia Inoussa from New Mexico on Friday evening. Duff later raised an elbow and is doubtful for Sunday’s game against the Aggies. (Mike Sandoval / For the diary)

LAS CRUCES – The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team has an emergency plan in place for Sunday.

All other things being equal, coach Mike Bradbury would rather not use it.

After a 77-58 home win against rivals New Mexico State on Friday evening, the Lobos (7-3) spent Saturday morning preparing for a quick rematch at Las Cruces. The Aggies (3-3) will try to split at the Pan American Center, where they stand 3-0 this season.

UNM played the second half of Friday’s game without senior point guard LaTora Duff, who was effectively knocked out by an accidental elbow to the nose late in the second quarter. Duff spent the second half on the bench, holding an ice pack over his face with a towel over his head.

Duff was still under investigation Saturday afternoon, but Bradbury said her forecast was more encouraging than it was on Friday night.

“I would call Tora a game-time decision,” said Bradbury. “It can still be ruled out, but there is at least some optimism. She feels a lot better than she did at night (Friday), so that’s good news regardless of whether she’s playing (Sunday). “

Starting Saturday, the Lobos started preparing to play without duff. The contingency plan would put newcomer Viané Cumber in the starting line-up, Bradbury said, while senior Jaedyn De La Cerda would act as point guard as in the second half on Friday.

De La Cerda, who is usually a shooting guard, effectively directed the show for UNM. The Lobos slowed their usual transition attack after 45 points in the first half, but did enough to keep the Aggies at bay.

Wings Antonia Anderson and guards LaTascya Duff, Aniyah Augmon and Cumber helped handle the perimeter ball against NMSU defensive pressure, but Bradbury said the UNM’s offense on the half-field with De La Cerda has not changed much at this point .

LaTascya Duff said she was simply trying to help De La Cerda if needed.

“I feel like I play better with the ball,” she said, “but I can get it if I have to. We all just have to step up and do what is necessary. “

Aside from LaTora Duff’s injury, the Lobos have managed to stay largely healthy during a busy stretch of non-conference games. UNM has played 10 games in 25 days which Bradbury admits were associated with bumps and bruises.

“We’re a little tired and people are limping around a bit,” he said, “but they’re ready to go. Our schedule is loosening up a bit (Sunday), so we will prevail. “

After Sunday’s game, UNM will only play twice (December 12th in Arizona and December 19th at home against UTEP) before the first game against San Jose State in Mountain West on December 28th.

COUNT 3’s: New Mexico State’s hopes of splitting the two-game streak with UNM may have hinged on better performance out of the 3-point range. While UNM had the best 13 threesomes (13-for-24) of the season, the Aggies didn’t make it until Fama Thiams Trey with 2:44 to go in the fourth quarter. NMSU finished 1-for-9 behind the arch.

PATIENT APPROACH: NMSU outperformed UNM 40-26 in the color on Friday, with Post Bigue Sarr taking most of their 21 points up close. The Aggies also had a 14-6 cross on second chance but couldn’t keep up with the Lobos in transition. UNM got a 25-0 lead in the fast break points.

Box Score: UNM 77, New Mexico State 58

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