Dec. 20, 2005
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TEAM
New Mexico won its 16th straight game at The Pit, matching the sixth-longest home streak in school history.
It’s UNM’s most successful string since also taking 16 straight from Nov. 13, 1998 to Feb. 1, 1999. The Lobos’
last home loss was nearly a year ago, an 81-74 setback to No. 5 Wake Forest on Dec. 22, 2004.
UNM improved to 4-0 all-time against Alcorn State and
19-1 overall against teams from the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
The New Mexico starting lineup of F David Chiotti, F Kyle Prochaska, F Tony Danridge, G Mark Walters and G Ryan Kersten improved to 2-0 on the season. The Lobos are 4-0 in games Prochaska has started.
All 13 UNM players in uniform got in the game and 12 played at least 5 minutes.
New Mexico hit just 2 of its first 10 shots and was 0-4 from 3-point range in the first 7 minutes of the game, but connected on 10 of its final 16, including 6-8 on threes, to take a 41-31 lead at halftime.
The Lobos are 6-1 when leading at the half this season and 31-2 over the past two years with a halftime lead.
UNM committed just 3 turnovers in the first 33 minutes and matched its season-low with 8 on the night.
The Lobos’ 43 free throw attempts and 33 free throws made are both season-highs and the most by UNM since a 40-53 performance vs. Utah on March 1, 2003. New Mexico made its last 12 free throws tonight.
Alcorn State forward Almaad Jackson’s 31 points are the most by a Lobo opponent since New Mexico State’s Duane John had 33 at Las Cruces on Dec. 3, 2003
Alcorn State’s 9 3-pointers were the most against UNM this year.
INDIVIDUAL
Senior forward David Chiotti notched his 2nd double-double of the season and 6th of his career. Chiotti led UNM in scoring for the second straight game (16) and tied a career-high with 12 rebounds. He has 493 career rebounds, good for 24th all-time at UNM.
Freshman guard Ryan Kersten scored in double figures for the second straight game (12 pts.) and had season-highs of
4 assists and 5 rebounds. Kersten also had 2 3s and in his last 4 games (98 minutes) his totals are: 37 points, 9-16 on 3s, 10 assists, 7 rebounds and 2 turnovers.
Junior forward Kellen Walter hit his first 2 threes of the game, giving him 6-straight from beyond the arc over the last 2 games, before missing on his 3rd attempt in the 2nd half.
Senior guard Kris Collins finished with 9 points, his best output in 5 games since scoring 12 against UTEP.
Senior guard Mark Walters did not score in double digits for the first time this season, finishing with 7 points.
It was Walters’ first game under 10 points since scoring 7 in the 2005 MWC Tournament Championship game against Utah.
Sophomore forward Blake Harden had a career-high 13 points in 18 minutes…sophomore forward Tony Danridge tied his career-high with 15 points.