Nov. 8, 2008
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| Postgame Press Conference
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Junior Roman Martinez was a perfect 8-for-8 from the field and scored a game-high 18 points as the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team defeated Western New Mexico, 88-59, Saturday in exhibition action inside The Pit.
Martinez, who averaged seven points per game last season, was one of five Lobos to score in double figures. Senior Daniel Faris collected 11 points, while Chad Toppert had 13 points coupled with six boards.
New Mexico is now 58-6 in exhibition games since 1972.
UNM pieced together a 17-5 run over seven minutes midway through the first half to take a 30-14 lead with 4:21 remaining. The Lobos capped off the first half with a 3-point basket from Toppert to take a 41-23 advantage heading into halftime.
Western New Mexico narrowed the Lobo lead to 13 in the second half as DJ Nicholas put up six quick points to make the score 45-29. That was the closest the Mustangs would get as UNM used two 6-0 runs over 10 minutes to take a 69-42 lead.
Plenty of fresh faces contributed for the Lobos as freshman and Mountain West Conference Preseason Freshman of the Year pick Phillip McDonald put up 11 points, while true-freshman A.J. Hardeman gathered eight rebounds. Martinez and Toppert joined Hardeman in the rebound department with eight boards as UNM out-rebounded WNMU 46-35.
Freshman Nate Garth led the team with five assists and the Lobos recorded 23 assists as a team. The UNM defense had nine blocks and five steals.
The 106th regular-season of Lobo hoops gets underway Friday, Nov. 14 as UNM hosts Southeast Missouri State at 7 p.m. in the Pit.