Cumber, Lobos dominate fourth quarter and propel UNM women over USU
UNM women’s basketball guard Vianè Cumber reacts to a made 3-pointer against the UNM bench and Utah State’s Jamisyn Heaton. Cumber had 20 points in a comeback win over the Aggies, 73-65, in The Pit on Saturday. Photo courtesy of UNM Athletics.
It wasn’t perfect and it wasn’t pretty.
But it felt exactly how it should’ve ended to coronate careers.
Despite a rocky start, the senior-led UNM women’s basketball team rallied in the fourth and defeated Utah State 73-65 in The Pit on Saturday in front of an announced crowd of 5,620 fans.
Down five headed into the fourth quarter, a familiar face aided in the dominant Lobo rally on senior night: the local girl.
Vianè Cumber – the Sandia High School product and Albuquerque native – scored 10 of her 20 points in the final frame. UNM outscored USU 25-12 in the final frame, too.
“It was a good moment and we needed something. We hadn’t made a shot all night – I hadn’t made a shot all night,” she said. “I just had to keep believing in myself and taking the shots that I know I can make.”
It was the eighth time this season that Cumber has scored 20 points in a game and the 15th time during her career that she’s made five or more three-pointers.
Cumber hit two big 3s halfway through the fourth, her second came after she nabbed an offensive rebound and nailed that second 3 with 4:35 left.
Her third and final 3-ball of the quarter was the dagger from nearly the center court logo.
It put the Lobos up 69-61 with 2:32 left in the game.
Cumber went 5-of-13 from beyond the arc against the Aggies but was 3-of-4 in that Lobo-dominant fourth.
Cumber said the day meant a lot to her.
“I mean our Lobo fans are crazy and they’ve showed me love ever since I’ve been (at UNM),” Cumber said. “I appreciate them from the bottom of my heart and I always will. You know, we went on a losing streak and they still showed up for us. They showed up for us today and our seniors. It means so much and it goes to show how lucky we have, because (a lot of other women’s college basketball programs) don’t get this (kind of support) around the country.”
Utah State entered the game 2-24 overall and 1-13 in the Mountain West Conference.
The Aggies are led by first-year head coach Wesley Brooks. Brooks never played college basketball but served as a manager for the West Virginia men’s basketball team. He graduated from WVU in 2004.
But he had the Aggies not afraid of The Pit with defensive pressure.
Utah State and UNM were tied at the half at 28 and USU forced 16 Lobo turnovers - thanks to a full-court press - in the first half. Ten of those 16 were in the first quarter.
UNM head women’s basketball coach Mike Bradbury said his team had a glazed-overlook before the game.
“They were excited to play, but our focus wasn’t there,” he said. “We played hard in the first half but ridiculous passes we were making in the first half, like baseball passes across the court… I don’t know why we did it, but in the second half we stopped. So, we only turned it over six times and we score 45 points (in the second half).”
The Lobos had been 0-8 and 0-4 in the MWC this season when trailing after the third quarter.
Bradbury has never lost to Utah State in his career. He and UNM have won 17 games-a-row over USU.
Gurad Joana Magalhães scored 14, Destinee Hooks added 12 and Nayli Padilla scored 10. There were four total Lobos in double figures. Cumber was the fourth.
Senior Amhyia Moreland had four blocks to go with seven rebounds. It was her 12th game this season with multiple blocks.
Hulda Joaquim led the Lobos with 10 rebounds and she added eight points.
Hulda is a graduate and has played with UNM since transferring over from Seward County Community College in 2022.
Hulda said the UNM women’s basketball program means a lot to her and she has seen development in her game since stepping on The Pit floor.
“The coaches have been telling me about my growth since I’ve been here,” Hulda said. “They have been by my side since day one. To get to this point, I am definitely grateful for them because they allowed me to be at the point I am at right now.”
UNM’s Joana Magalhães drives the lane for a lay-up against Utah State in the first half in The Pit. The Lobos dominated the fourth quarter in a comeback win agaisnt the Aggies for their 16th win on the season. Photo courtesy of UNM Athletics.
NEXT UP: New Mexico Lobos at Wyoming Cowgirls
Time: Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Arena Auditorium in Laramie, Wyo.
Listen: J.J. Buck with the call on The Sports Animal (95.9 FM/610 AM)
Watch: Mountain West Network
