Feb 9, 2004
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – Danny Granger scored 30 points before being knocked
out of the game by a blow to the chin and New Mexico was nearly flawless at the
free throw line in an 87-75 win over Wyoming Monday night.
Granger matched his season high point total by hitting 9 of 13 shots,
including 11 of 13 free throws. New Mexico (13-8, 4-4 MWC) hit 29 of 31 free
throws.
Wyoming (9-12, 2-6) was led by Jay Straight with 19 points.
Granger, who also had 30 points against Wyoming in an 82-77 win by the
Cowboys in Laramie last month, was hit while trying to block a shot by Wyoming
forward Joe Ries with 43 seconds left in the game.
Granger, the leading scorer in the Mountain West Conference, lay on the
court for several minutes. After trying unsuccessfully to get to his feet, the
groggy Granger had to be helped off by teammates.
New Mexico went up 14-0 as Wyoming failed to score on its first 10
possessions. The Cowboys missed several shots in that stretch and had seven
turnovers before Mikel Watson hit a 3-pointer with 13:19 left in the first
half.
Wyoming, which finished with a season-high 11 3-pointers, steadily chipped
away at the deficit by hitting eight 3s in the first half. The Cowboys hit
their last five shots from behind the arc in the first half, but New Mexico
still managed a 40-30 halftime lead.
A field goal by Straight with 16:28 left got Wyoming within 44-41, but that
was a close as Wyoming would come.
New Mexico point guard Javin Tindall hit a 3-pointer and after Cowboy David
Rottinghaus was called for a charge, Lobo Alfred Neale hit a 3-pointer. The two
3s kicked off a 15-3 run by New Mexico that made it 59-44 with 12:44 left.
Wyoming cut the deficit to 61-54 with a 10-2 run that included seven points
by Omoniyi Makun and a 3-pointer by Watson, but New Mexico stayed in front with
its free throw shooting.
David Chiotti added 20 points and Neale had 17 for New Mexico.
The Cowboys lost for the eighth time in their last 10 games.