ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team picked up its third straight victory on Saturday night, 78-71 over Wyoming inside WisePies Arena – The Pit.
“I thought we came out with good pace and energy to start the game,” said head coach Craig Neal. “I thought we did some good things offensively. I thought Elijah and Tim were great tonight.”
The duo of Elijah Brown and Tim Williams combined for 47 points and 21 rebounds, both finishing with double-doubles. Brown scored 33 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while Williams pitched in 14 points and 11 rebounds. Brown’s 33 points was a season-high and his first double-double of the year.
Off the bench, Damien Jefferson led with seven points. He was 3-of-4 from the field, including one three. Kuiper added eight points and led the team in assists with five. Jalen Harris and Jordan Hunter finished with seven and five points, respectively.
“I think we did a nice job with ball control and using the clock late. I think that was a big part of it.”
The Lobos started off the game behind but an early 10-0 run helped the Lobos push to a 16-13 lead going into the first media timeout of the game at 11:41. The lead increased by as much as eight at the 7:55 mark after a three-point play by Brown. Wyoming cut the lead to one with 2:05 left in the half and eventually tied the game up twice before the half ended at 38-38.
Tim Williams started off the second half with a three-point play, making a layup and the free throw that followed. He hit another two at 18:11 to take 43-40 lead over the Cowboys.
With four minutes left to play, the Lobos took their largest lead of nine points, 70-61, after a Jefferson made jumper. Wyoming brought the game within four with 27 seconds to go but the Lobos went 7-for-10 from the free throw line in the final minute to close out the game.
“I thought they did a good job at the end breaking through the pressure and getting the ball to the right people,” Neal added.
On the game, the Lobos shot 44.8 percent from the field, 35.3 percent from the three and 60 percent from the foul line. The Lobos only had seven turnovers and capitalized on 13 Wyoming turnovers to score 13 points. In the paint, the Lobos outscored the Cowboys 34-24.
New Mexico will have a quick turnaround as it will look for its fourth straight win on Tuesday. The Lobos will play host to Utah State at 9 p.m. inside WisePies Arena – The Pit. The game will air on ESPNU.