Nov. 20, 2005
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – David Chiotti had 14 points and 12 rebounds and New Mexico got four 3-pointers from its bench early in the first half during a 62-48 win Sunday over Southern Utah at the Jim Thorpe Classic.
Chiotti, Mark Walters and Tony Danridge led the Lobos (3-0) in scoring, but it was the reserves who jump-started a lethargic New Mexico offense in the first half with a 10-0 run.
The Thunderbirds (0-3) led New Mexico 10-2 when Lobos coach Ritchie McKay went to his bench. Kellen Walter and Jeff Hart delivered back-to-back 3-pointers, Kyle Prochaska hit two free throws and Joel Box dunked off a pass from Chiotti.
That put New Mexico in front for good, and reserves Chad Toppert and Darren Prentice also made 3-pointers as the Lobos stretched their lead to 28-17.
The New Mexico reserves scored 16 of the team’s first 22 points and by halftime had hit 6-of-11 shots compared with a 6-for-19 effort from the five starters.
Nate Janes and Justin Allen each scored 12 points for the Thunderbirds.
Walters, the unanimous choice for MVP in the round-robin classic, scored 14 points with a variety of drives into the lane. Dandridge had a career-high 13 points, all in the second half.
Dandridge scored six points in an 11-2 run by New Mexico to start the second half, giving New Mexico its biggest lead at 47-29 with 13:04 left.