By Aikman Fang (@AikmanFang) – SJSU women’s basketball Beat Reporter
San Jose State women’s basketball (3-23, 1-14 MW) couldn’t keep up with New Mexico (17-11, 9-6 MW) as it fell 70-61 on Saturday afternoon.
The Lobos outscored the Spartans 18-10 in the fourth period, with four of the Spartan’s points coming in the final minute. SJSU women’s basketball losing streak now stands at seven games.
“That fourth quarter. . . is about just being ready, and finding a way to make baskets down the stretch,” said head coach April Phillips.
Drawing fouls played a crucial part in the game as the Lobos shot an efficient 22-26 from the free throw line, while the Spartans shot a subpar 4-7. New Mexico made 7-8 from the free-throw line in the final minute.
Five SJSU women’s basketball players did finish the game with eight points or more.
Senior guard Jada Holland led the Spartans with 10 points and three steals. Holland leads the Mountain West with 2.5 steals per game.
Sophomore forward Nailea Nicholas also finished with nine points and a team-high seven rebounds.
Freshman guard Sabrina Ma provided eight points and five rebounds.
The Lobos started the game with a 14-4 lead with 6:41 left in the first quarter. The Spartans then stormed back with a 10-0 run to tie it 14-14 after fifth-year senior Aarion Nichols made a 3-pointer with 4:50 left in the period.
Sophomore guard Vianè Cumber helped New Mexico to a 43-35 lead after two quarters with a game-high 10 points and shot 2-4 behind the 3-point line. Cumber finished the day with a game-high 16 points.
The Lobos then went ice-cold, only making one of their next 10 shots from the field to start the third quarter.
The Spartans stormed back to take a 48-46 lead with an 11-0 run after sophomore forward Amhyia Moreland made a layup with 3:33 left in the third.
New Mexico rallied back to take a 51-50 lead at the end of the third quarter.
SJSU’s offense stalled in the final period, shooting 5-16 from the field and committing six of their 19 turnovers in the fourth quarter.
SJSU women’s basketball returns home for a two-game stand, with Boise State next up on Thursday at 6 p.m. inside the Provident Credit Union Event Center.