Lobos lead at half

Sara Halasz has 11 points at the half to help give New Mexico a 35-28 cushion over Colorado State at halftime of the second first-round game of the day at the Mountain West Conference women’s tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Amy Beggin added seven points for the Lobos.

Kim Mestdagh has eight points, three rebounds and two steals for the Rams.

A 12-1 spurt put New Mexico up 24-15 with 4:30 left in the first half, but Colorado State scored the next five points to end the spurt and keep the Lobos from running away with the game.

The game had been played at a very methodical pace until the Lobos were able to start getting some baskets in transition during the run.

Deja vu

Colorado State’s Kim Mestdagh, a sophomore from Belgium, left the court in the opening minutes after diving to the floor for a loose ball.

She appeared to bump her head either on the floor or in a collision with a New Mexico player.

Mestdagh laid face down for a short period of time, but was able to roll over and speak to the trainer.

She was then examined on the end of the bench for several minutes, but returned later in the half.

Almost immediately after returning, Mestdagh grabbed a rebound and got popped in the face by New Mexico’s Jessica Kielpinski.