Post-Game Notes
Feb. 15, 2005
Recap |
Final Stats |
Quotes
New Mexico (18-6, 5-4 MWC) breaks a four-game losing streak to Air Force with a 63-52 win tonight…New Mexico is now 40-15 all time against Air Force, including a 23-1 record in The Pit….the Lobos’ five Mountain West Conference wins equals last year’s total
UNM head coach Ritchie McKay used his fifth different starting lineup in the last 9 games, going with Danny Granger, David Chiotti, Alfred Neale, Troy DeVries and Mark Walters…it was the first time that quintet has started a game this season…they were 1-0 last year, winning at home against BYU…New Mexico had the same five starters in the first 16 games of the year.
The Lobos’ starting frontcourt of Alfred Neale, Danny Granger and David Chiotti combined for 49 of the team’s 63 points, helping UNM hold a 34-14 advantage in points in the paint.
New Mexico opened the game with an 11-0 run, Alfred Neale scoring 9 of 11 points…Air Force’s first basket came at 13:08…the Falcons were 0-7 with two turnovers until their first basket. ..New Mexico led the entire first half, except for a 23-23 tie…UNM led 25-23 at half… UNM scored its fewest 1st half points in 16 home games (scored 29 vs Tennessee) …Lobos are now 18-1 when leading at half this year, 5-0 in MWC games…the only loss came @ Oregon when it led 43-41, but lost 79-75.
Troy DeVries has made a three-point basket in 21 straight games, tying Lamont Long for the 4th longest streak at UNM…DeVries last went without a three point attempt on November 14, 2004 vs Duquesne (0-4).
Danny Granger finished the night with 17 points and 14 rebounds for his 28th career double-double…Granger has 17 double-doubles as a Lobo including 10 this season.
Air Force’s Matt McCraw tied a career high with 17 points…McCraw also tied a career high hitting 5 three-point field goals…McCraw also finished 6-7 from the field.
Alfred Neale got his fourth start of the season…Neale finished with 18 points and 7 rebounds …the past six games, Neale has averaged 14.3 ppg on 33-57 FGs (58%), including 13-30 from 3-point (43%)…the past 4 games, he has averaged 15.5, making 23-33 (70%) FGs, including 11-20 from 3-point range (55%)
New Mexico had 13 turnovers tonight…in its meeting earlier this season New Mexico turned the ball over 23 times, which led to a 31-8 Air Force advantage on points off turnovers
The Lobos have shot 50% or better 13 times this season including 51.2% tonight against Air Force…New Mexico is 12-1 this season when it shoots 50% or better , the only loss coming to Air Force.
UNM is now 10-0 when holding opponents under 60 points this year…the Lobos held the Falcons to only 52…the Falcons have allowed an opponent to score over 60 points only 7 times this season, including both meetings with New Mexico.