Jan. 7, 2006
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – David Chiotti scored 17 points and Mark Walters 16 as New Mexico beat Colorado State 83-75 Saturday, the Lobos’ 19th straight win at home.
New Mexico (10-5, 1-1 MWC) beat the Rams (11-4, 0-2 MWC) in The Pit for the 34th time in the last 35 games, including the last 10.
Chiotti, Walters and Tony Danridge, who finished with 14 points, led the Lobos to a season-high shooting percentage of 56.3 percent.
CSU 7-footer Jason Smith scored a career-high 28 points and just missed a double-double with 9 rebounds.
The Rams trailed 52-37 with 14:36 left but got within three points on three occasions in the final 2:23. Smith and guard Sean Morris led the rally. Morris had a four-point play – he hit a 3-pointer, was fouled and hit the free throw- and a conventional three-point play in the second half. Smith hit 8 of 16 shots and went 12-for-12 on free throws.
A free throw by Cory Lewis got CSU within 74-71 with 2:23 left. Walters fouled out on the play. The Rams also were within 76-73 on a dunk by Smith and trailed 78-75 with 1:44 remaining after a 16-foot jumper by Smith.
New Mexico put it away as reserve guard Jeff Hart hit two free throws after being fouled on a 3-point shot and Chiotti came up with a steal with 44 seconds remaining. Danridge, Kris Collins and Chiotti each hit a free throw the rest of the way.
Morris and Michael Morrison each scored 12 points for the Rams.
Junior forward Joel Box, who quit the New Mexico team on Dec. 27 and returned on Thursday, scored 8 points while playing just nine minutes. Box was 3-for-3 shooting, including a pair of 3-pointers.
New Mexico led 44-31 at halftime, nearly equaling what it scored in the entire game in 64-49 loss to Utah earlier in the week.