Box Score

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Host New Mexico scored 48 second-half points to defeat Norfolk State 83-36 in the opening round of the Comcast Lobo Shootout on Friday night at The Pit. NSU will take on Southern in the consolation game at 7 p.m. EST on Saturday.

UNM (6-2) held the Spartans to 15 points in the second half on 5-of-26 (19.2 percent) shooting from the floor. The Lobos connected on 54.5 percent (18-of-33) of their field goals in the second half.

The Spartan defense kept the Lobo crowd of 7,725 on their feet for the first 2:44 of the game. It is customary for UNM fans to stand until the Lobos score their first points in each half. The fans got some relief when Angela Hartill hit a jumper with 17:16 left in the first half.

NSU (1-4) kept it close for most of the first period. A three-point play by Tiffany Gadsden (Columbia, S.C.) put the Spartans up 8-4 with 15:26 left. Natasha Huntley (Greensboro, N.C.) scored on a fast-break layup to bring NSU within three, 20-17, with 3:46 left before the break.

UNM pulled away in the minutes before half time and took a 14 point lead into the intermission.

The Spartans could not keep up with the Lobos in the second half. UNM went on a 13-2 run to start the second half and took complete control of the game.

NSU was outrebounded 45-27 and had 25 turnovers to just five assists. UNM shot 49.2 percent (29-of-59) from the floor for the game and 58.3 percent (7-of-12) from 3-point range.

For the Lobos, Dionne Marsh led all players with 21 points and nine rebounds. Christian Shelter and Amy Beggin each had 11 points and Jessica Pielinski had 10.

Danelle Tate (Stafford, Va.) led NSU with 11 points despite fouling out with 27 seconds left in the game. Huntley finished with eight points, four rebounds, and two steals.