Arizona women’s basketball falls to second consecutive loss to New Mexico

Logan Kimel

December 7, 2025

After making a hoop, Noelani Cornfield gets up along with fellow teammate Tanyuel Welch by her side at McKale Center on Nov. 16.

The University of Arizona women’s basketball lost 72-69 to the University of New Mexico on Sunday, Dec. 7, on the Wildcats’ home court. This marks Arizona’s second consecutive loss at home.

Graduate guard Noelani Cornfield led the attack, filling the stat sheet with 20 points on 6-for-12 shooting from the field alongside six rebounds, seven assists and five steals. Redshirt junior guard Tanyuel Welch followed with 16 points of her own along with seven rebounds. Additionally, freshman forward Daniah Trammell contributed 13 points on 5-for-9 shooting.

Eager to bounce back after their first loss of the season on Wednesday night against Southern University, the Wildcats hit the court with energy and were ready to take on the Lobos. Nora Francois scored the first 4 points for Arizona with two back-to-back buckets in the paint.

Both UNM and Arizona guards pushed the ball inside to secure baskets at the rim. The teams traded leads throughout the first quarter, but a missed layup on a breakaway by Arizona guard Noelani Cornfield cost the Wildcats a chance to gain key points.

UNM responded with a 7-0 run in just over one minute until a basket in the paint by forward Daniah Trammell ended the Lobos’ streak. As the quarter closed, UNM built a 7-point lead on the Wildcats and finished the first period up 26-19.

Down 7 points to start the second quarter, Arizona opened the period with a quick layup off the inbound by guard Welch. A 3-pointer from Kamryn Kitchen followed and the Wildcats began to close the scoreboard gap.

Arizona guard Sumayah Sugapong stayed on the bench for the entire second quarter while Cornfield played the full 10 minutes of running clock in the quarter, showing her endurance by driving the ball whenever she found space in the key.

A big 3-pointer by graduate guard Mickayla Perdue and a jumper from Welch with one minute left brought Arizona within two points of UNM, the closest gap they managed in the quarter. The Lobos still held their lead and ended the half up 42-39.

Carrying the energy from the end of the second quarter, Trammell opened the third with a basket for the Wildcats that brought them within one point of UNM.

Driving to the hoop, Trammell scored again and was sent to the line, completing the 3-point play and giving Arizona the lead.

With an attendance of over 6,000 in McKale Center, the highest recorded for Arizona women’s basketball this season, the energy on the court was fueled by fans on their feet and filling the arena with excitement.

Cornfield continued to run the offense for the Wildcats and drove to the hoop for a layup while drawing a foul, earning another chance at a 3-point play. After the missed free throw, the Lobos grabbed the rebound and turned it into an easy basket at the block.

UNM regained the lead and held it for the rest of the quarter while the Wildcats stayed close behind.

Cornfield found her rhythm at the elbow and hit consistent jumpers that kept Arizona on the scoreboard and showed her value to the offense.

A jumper followed by a layup on a quick break from Welch brought the Wildcats back within 3 points and forced UNM to call a timeout to slow Arizona’s run. A steal from Cornfield led to a layup attempt that sent her to the line, where she made one of two.

The Wildcats struggled at the line throughout the game, making 63% of their free throws compared to UNM’s 81%.

Arizona’s strong zone defense caused UNM to struggle with outside shots, giving the Wildcats a chance to take control of the scoreboard. With two minutes left in the quarter, Arizona tried to close the 7-point gap but a three-pointer from UNM’s Alyssa Hardgrove pushed the lead back to 10 with a minute twenty to go.

With one minute left and down five, Purdue was fouled on a layup off a fast break created by a UNM turnover and converted both free throws to bring the score to 72-69.

After an Arizona timeout and with thirty seconds left in the fourth, UNM held possession and tried to run the clock to secure the final shot.

With two seconds remaining, UNM’s Laila Abdurraqib put up a 3-pointer that did not fall, giving Arizona time to call a timeout and draw up a final play for a three-point attempt. The Wildcats could not get a shot off and UNM secured the 72-69 win, handing Arizona back-to-back losses.