Nov. 29, 2008
The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team dropped a 67-55 game against VCU in the Cancun Challenge in Cancun, Mexico, tonight. Playing in the Moon Palace Resort, the Lobos were led by freshman Phillip McDonald’s 14 points on 5-9 shooting and freshman Nate Garth’s season-high 12 points off the bench.
The Lobos started the game slowly, going 0-3 with six turnovers in its first nine possessions. UNM was down 10-0 before senior Chad Toppert came off the bench to hit a 3-pt. FG at the 14:57 mark. New Mexico trailed 26-17 with 7:40 remaining in the first half before turning up the defensive pressure. UNM held the Rams scoreless for the next five minutes and went on a 15-5 run to close the half and lead 32-31 at the break.
New Mexico built a six point lead 43-37 on another 3-pointer from Toppert with 14:06 left in the game. However, UNM was held scoreless for almost the next seven minutes as VCU ran out to a 50-43 lead. The Lobos shot a season-low 39.6% from the field and committed 16 turnovers in the game.
Senior Daniel Faris added 11 points and tied a career-high eight rebounds off the bench tonight. With the loss UNM drops to 3-3 on the season. VCU improves to 3-2 with the win.
New Mexico next faces Drake in the consolation game of the Cancun Challenge on Sunday, Nov. 30. The Bulldogs fell to Vanderbilt 72-57 in the earlier game at the Moon Palace Resort. Game time is set for 6:15 p.m. (M.S.T.) and will be televised against on CBS College Sports.