Nov. 18, 2005
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – Mark Walters scored 20 points and New Mexico took advantage of frequent trips to the free throw line to open the season with a 56-47 win over South Carolina State at the Jim Thorpe Classic Friday night.
Walters was the steadying force on a New Mexico offense that shot 36.6 percent, hit just 1 of 10 3-pointers in the second half and sputtered for 40 minutes.
The Lobos opened the game with an 8-0 run and led 25-10 with 7:17 left in the first half. New Mexico then went more than seven minutes without scoring. Walters ended the drought by banking in a short jumper with two seconds left in the opening period.
South Carolina State (0-1) couldn’t take advantage of New Mexico’s poor shooting and never led in the game. The Bulldogs scored only two points – a field goal by Chris Williams – in the final 4:18 of the first half to trail 27-20 at the break.
Brian Mason with 13 points and Travis Jones with 10 led the Bulldogs. South Carolina State played without Thurman Zimmerman, the Mid-Eastern Atlantic’s Player of the Year last season. Zimmerman is recovering from a knee injury.
South Carolina State hit four more field goals than New Mexico, but the Lobos shot 30 free throws compared to the Bulldogs’ seven. New Mexico was called for just one foul in the first half and South Carolina State didn’t shoot a free throw until the 11:41 mark of the second half.
New Mexico hit 21 free throws and the Bulldogs just four.
The Bulldogs pulled to within 45-41 after Mason scored back-to-back baskets, the second with 3:52 left. Walters halted that rally by hitting four straight free throws. An offensive rebound basket by former Lobo walk-on Blake Harden with 1:32 left gave New Mexico a 52-44 cushion.
David Chiotti scored 11 points for New Mexico.