Post-Game Notes
Nov. 27, 2004
Recap |
Final Stats |
Quotes
In the 82nd meeting between the two schools, New Mexico defeated Northern Arizona, 81-70, before 12,061 Saturday afternoon at The Pit…the all-time series is now tied, 41-41…UNM has won three straight since 1984.
The Lobos’ 5-1 start this season equals the best by a Ritchie McKay coached team…McKay’s 1997-98 Portland State squad began 5-1, while his 1998-99 Colorado State team won 6 of its first 7 games.
UNM improved to 5-0 at home this season and have captured 17 of their past 19 in The Pit…the Lobos have shot 56.5% (144-255) at home this year, hitting no fewer than 51% of its shots in any home game to date…UNM has twice shot better than 60% from the floor, including 60.9% tonight.
New Mexico is now 5-0 on the year when outshooting its opponents and have won 21 straight games when shooting better…the last loss was at Tennessee on Jan. 4, 2003…the Lobos are 56-4 in such situations since 2000-01.
The Lobos outrebounded their opposition for the sixth time this year and have held a rebounding edge in 8 straight games…UNM also matched a season-high with 11 steals and 6 blocks, including career-highs by Mark Walters and David Chiotti
Senior Danny Granger recorded his 21st collegiate double-double, his 10th at UNM and third of the season…he tallied a season-high 24 points to go along with 10 rebounds…the 24 points are the best by a UNM player this season…he netted a season-high nine field goals, which is also a team season-best for an individual…in the second half, Granger scored 16 points on 7-7 shooting and grabbed 7 rebounds in just 12 minutes…he scored 14 of UNM’s first 24 points in the second half…Granger also notched a season-high 5 steals and now has 19 on the year…he led UNM with 29 steals in 22 games last year.
Junior David Chiotti added 14 points and tied a career-high with 5 assists and 3 blocks…Alfred Neale had 11 points in relief, his fourth game scoring in double digits off the bench.
The Lobos scored the first eight points of the second half…they opened the half with an 18-4 run in the first 7:28, opening up a 56-39 advantage…the Lobos led by as many as 22 points…UNM outscored Northern Arizona in the second half, 43-35.
The Lobos went on a 12-0 run from the 16:25 mark to the 9:43 mark in the first half to open a 22-14 lead…UNM held Northern Arizona without a field goal for nearly 10 minutes (16:25 to 6:27)…NAU missed 12 straight shots during that span…after UNM opened up a 10-point lead (30-20) at the 6:00 mark, the Lumberjacks went on a 12-3 run to make it 33-32 with two minutes left in the half…UNM led at the half, 38-35…DeJuan Stevens of NAU hit a 3-point buzzer-beater from half court to end the first half…the Lobos have led at halftime at every game this year.