A unified effort was key for the Arizona women’s basketball team to shake off the road loss at Nevada and rebound to beat the New Mexico Lobos 84-60 last night in Albuquerque, N.M.

“”I really proud of our effort tonight,”” head coach Niya Butts said in a press release. “”The important thing was we kept the pace going. Erica Barnes really gave us a lift with her double-double and Amanda Pierson played some great minutes off the bench. So did Reiko Thomas and Tasha Dickey. They all came in to give us some quality minutes.””

Despite the win, Arizona was without forward Ify Ibekwe because of illness. Barnes took her spot, giving the freshman her first start of her collegiate career.

Thomas, who made her season debut and tallied six points, two assists and a steal in 12 minutes of play, was back in action for Arizona after injury had kept her sidelined up until this point.

Davellyn Whyte lead the charge for the Wildcats tallying 24 points, including five from beyond the arc.

With a 6-2 jumpstart to the season, the Wildcats will hope that the electricity won’t fade with conference play looming at the beginning of the new year. Let’s take a look at the Wildcat’s winter break match ups.

The Schedule

Arizona vs. New Mexico State

Dec. 19, 2 p.m.

Arizona star Ify Ibekwe will definitely have her hands full guarding the low post when New Mexico State visits McKale Center. If the Wildcats can force New Mexico to take outside shots and keep up in transition game, than they will be able to hold their own for a complete 40 minutes.

Arizona vs. North Texas

Dec. 21, 1 p.m.

With the dynamic threats of Davellyn Whyte and Brooke Jackson, the Wildcats perimeter game should be enough for an Arizona win.

Arizona vs. Iona College

Dec. 28, 7 p.m.

Arizona faces another trivial game on paper, when the Iona College Lady Gaels come to Tucson. However, as with any mismatch there is always a chance of an upset. Junior forward Kristina Ford is always a threat to put up big numbers for the Iona.

Arizona vs. Oregon

Dec. 31,  3 p.m.

The Wildcats jump into Pacific 10 Conference play when the Oregon Ducks visit McKale. The routine non-conference schedule is poised to give Arizona some momentum heading into its second hardest match up of the season, behind the loss at then No. 11 Texas A&M. Last time the Ducks came to Tucson, the contest led to the highest scoring game in Pac-10 women’s basketball history, where Whyte set an Arizona single game scoring record with 39 points. This one’s going to be a shootout.

Arizona vs. Oregon State

Jan. 2, 2011, 1 p.m.

In it’s second conference match up, the Wildcats will look to stifle senior foward El Sara Greer who is a threat for a double-doubles any game. The Wildcats will need to win, especially with more tough conference play ahead.

Arizona at Stanford

Jan. 6, 2011, 8 p.m.

The Wildcats leave Tucson after the extended home stay and head to Palo Alto, Calif., for their hardest contest of the season against the Stanford Cardinal. Last season, the Wildcats managed to hold their own against the Cardinal throughout the first half, but seemed to run out of gas in the second. In order for the Wildcats to make it competitive, they’ll have to play hard for the entire game.

Arizona at California

Jan. 8, 2011, 3 p.m.

To finish out winter break, Arizona stays in Northern California to take on the California Golden Bears in Berkeley, Calif. Cal will be a slightly more level game than at Stanford, but Arizona will still have to be in top form. The Golden Bears boast two top-10 conference scoring leaders and with the Wildcats’ ability to put the ball in the hoop, this will be another shootout.