MONROE, La. – New Mexico knocked down 12 3-pointers and outscored ULM 15-2 on the fast break as the Lobos pulled away late in the first quarter and never relinquished the lead in a 66-45 win Saturday night at the Van Chancellor Classic at the Merrell Center.
 
With ULM (2-5 overall) leading 4-2 early, UNM (5-2) caught fire from the 3-point line. The Lobos missed their six attempts from deep, but then connected on their next five treys, breaking a 4-4 tie and building a 13-point lead at 21-8. UNM led 21-9 after a quarter.
 
UNM's streak stretched to six consecutive makes from deep early in the second quarter as LaTascya Duff hit another trey to extend the lead to 24-9 with 8:26 left in the half.
 
The Warhawks fought back and pulled within 10 on a jumper by sophomore Gara Beth Self, which made it 27-17 with 1:34 left in the half. However, New Mexico's Shaiquel McGruder scored on a putback late in the half to push the Lobo lead to 14 at halftime, 31-17.
 
UNM continued to pull away in the third quarter, pushing the lead up to 21 before the Warhawks cut the gap to 17 on a jumper in the lane by true freshman Bre Sutton. UNM led 51-34 after three quarters.
 
The Warhawks never got closer than 17 points in the final quarter as UNM kept ULM at a comfortable distance, cruising to the 66-45 win.
 
The Warhawks were led by second-year freshman Tasionna McDowell with eight points and 11 rebounds. True freshman Bre Sutton also had eight points. Jaedyn De La Cerda led three Lobos in double figures with 15 points.
 
ULM shot 30.3% from the field (20-for-66) while UNM shot 38.1% (24-for-63). The Lobos connected on 12 3-pointers while ULM was 2-for-7 from deep.
 
The Warhawks wrap up the Van Chancellor Classic at 6:30 p.m. Sunday when they take on Stephen F. Austin.