Poor shooting dooms Penguins as New Mexico pulls away, 54-36

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- The Youngstown State women's basketball team let a first-half lead slip away in dropping a 54-36 decision to New Mexico in the Holiday Inn Mountain View Invitational on Friday at "The Pit."
Junior Cathy Hanek led the Penguins (1-2) with 10 points, while junior Jessica Olmstead added nine.
The Penguins increased their lead to eight, 26-18, to start the second half, but the Lobos went on a 21-1 run midway through the second half.
New Mexico (3-0) was led by freshman Katie Montgomery, who scored nine points, and Abbie Letz and Mandi Moore each added eight.
In the first half, the Lobos got off to an 8-0 lead until the Penguins went on a 20-8 run.
The Penguin defense held New Mexico scoreless for nine minutes before the Lobos went on a quick six-point scoring splurge to cut the lead to four heading into halftime.
The Penguins shot poorly the entire game -- 21.8 percent from the field. New Mexico shot 32.8 percent, including 44.8 percent in the second half.