Granger, Lobos Rout Aztecs
Jan. 31, 2005
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – Danny Granger, seemingly back at full speed after
undergoing surgery on his left knee three weeks ago, scored 21 points as New
Mexico beat San Diego State 88-71 Monday night.
Granger, who injured the knee in the Lobos’ win over Wyoming on Jan. 8,
missed three games, all of which New Mexico lost. He returned Saturday to help
New Mexico beat UNLV and hit 6 of 10 shots and had 9 rebounds and three blocks
against San Diego State.
Granger, who had 11 points and 10 rebounds but played tentatively in the
62-58 win over UNLV, was more aggressive and back in a grove against the
Aztecs.
New Mexico (16-5, 3-3 Mountain West) pulled away from the Aztecs (9-10, 3-3
MWC) late in the first half with an 18-5 run.
Granger’s return to form and the Lobos’ defense on the Aztecs’ two leading
scorers, Marcus Slaughter and Brandon Heath, were the difference.
Slaughter, who came in averaging 17.9 points and 9 rebounds a game, failed
to score in the first half and finished with a season-low 11 points. But he did
keep intact his streak of having scored in double figures in every game this
season.
But by the time Slaughter got his first points, a pair of free throws with
17:32 left in the game, New Mexico had a 14-point lead. Slaughter took only
seven shots and hit just two.
Heath, the team’s leading scorer (18.6 points), also scored 11 and hit just
3 of 12 shots.
Chris Walton led the Aztecs with 14 points. Slaughter had 10 rebounds for
his eighth double-double of the year.
There were six ties and seven lead changes in the first 15 minutes. A
3-pointer by Alfred Neale put the Lobos in front for good at 26-23 with 7:31
left in the opening period. Moments later, Granger connected on a 3-pointer and
after San Diego State guard Tyler Smith hit a 3, the Lobos scored eight
straight points.
Mark Walters hit a reverse layup, Tony Danridge had a slam, Granger scored
from the top of the key and Troy DeVries hit a layup.
A layup by Walters and a 3-pointer by DeVries to open the second half made
it 45-31 and the Aztecs got no closer than eight points the rest of the way.
Neale added 20 points, hitting 7 of 8 shots, while DeVries scored 18 and
Walters 13.