UNLV 62, New Mexico 53

Sunday, Jan. 6, 2002 | 11:15 a.m.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. AP) - Constance Jinks and Linda Frohlich were a one-two punch that knocked out New Mexico on Sunday afternoon.

Jinks scored 25 points - including her team's first 11 of the game - and Frohlich powered her way to another 20 to lead UNLV to a 62-53 win over the Lobos.

UNLV (13-1, 1-0 MWC) used a quick zone defense and the scoring of Jinks and Frohlich to open Mountain West Conference play with a road win that left a partisan New Mexico crowd of more than 17,000 silent and the Lobos in an early hole in the conference race.

"When you lose a home game in this conference you're at a huge disadvantage," said New Mexico coach Don Flanagan. "This isn't the end of our conference hopes, but looking at it realistically, it will be tough."

Not tougher than what the Lady Rebels' zone was on Sunday.

UNLV, which prefers to play a man-to-man defense, used the zone to keep New Mexico center and leading scorer Jordan Adams from getting the ball inside most of the game. It turned out to be a great defensive move as the Lobos fired up one misguided 3-pointer after another.

The Lobos (11-4, 0 (1)- hit just 3 of 18 shots from behind the arc in the first half and hit just 1 of 11 in the second half.

"How the heck can you shoot 4 of 29," Flanagan said shaking his head in disbelief. "And I thought we got good looks. I guess they weren't, because they don't go in."

Everything Jinks threw up early went in. The Lady Rebels' quick 5-7 point guard scored UNLV's first 11 points. Her back-to-back field goals from 15 feet out put UNLV ahead to stay at 11-7 with 14:19 left in the first half.

Then Frohlich, the Lady Rebels' 6-2 forward, joined the assault.

By halftime Jinks and Frohlich had scored 33 of UNLV's 36 points and had all of the team's 13 field goals. The two were a defensive nightmare for the Lobos.

"On the one hand you've got their All-American (Frohlich) and then Jinks is driving to the hole," said New Mexico senior guard Molly McKinnon. "You're watching two players at the same time. Jinks is so quick. She'll drive the lane on you or shoot the three on you."

New Mexico scored nine straight points midway through the second half to get within 43-40 with 11:43 left. Chelsea Grear got back-to-back baskets, while Adams scored on a layup and hit a 3-pointer.

Jinks cut off the rally by connecting on an off-balance jumper in the lane, then hit again moments later from 15 feet to get UNLV back up to a 47-41 lead. The Lobos got no closer than five points the rest of the way.

"Our zone really made the difference," said UNLV coach Regina Miller. "We're more of a man to man team, but we felt we had to adjust because Jordan (Adams) will always be the focus of our attention."

New Mexico hit just 9 of 32 shots in the first half and 33 percent for the game.

Frohlich also had 14 rebounds to lead the Lady Rebels to a 47-36 edge.