November 16, 1998

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- New Mexico's Nikki Heckroth knocked down a three-pointer with 1:10 remaining in the game to put her team ahead, 69-67, as the Lobos went on to a 73-68 victory over Northwestern in the season-opener for the Wildcats.

After Heckroth's perimeter three, sophomore center Tami Sears (Libertyville, Ill./Libertyville) converted one of two free throws to pull the Wildcats within one (69-68) with 32 seconds remaining. Northwestern was forced to foul on the ensuing possession and Sonya Bryant made both free throws to put New Mexico ahead, 71-68. Another NU foul with six seconds left put Jennifer Williams on the line, who converted the last two of her 11 points from the charity stripe. Williams finished with a game-high 25 points. She was 11-of-14 from the foul line.

Leading the way for Northwestern was senior forward Kristina Divjak (Dyer, Ind./Lake Central) and sophomore point guard Dana Leonard (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South), each with 16 points. For Leonard, it matched her career-high.

Two other starters, senior guard Megan Chawansky (Avon Lake, Ohio/Avon Lake) and junior forward Leslie Schock (Elgin, Ill./Elgin) reached double figures. Chawansky had 15 points, seven rebounds and six steals. The six steals tied her career-high. Schock tallied 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the floor. She also grabbed seven rebounds. New Mexico improved to 2-0 on the season. The Wildcats (0-1) are next in action this Wed., Nov. 18 when they host Cal-Santa Barbara in their home-opener at 7 p.m.