Neal, Greenwood Pace 89-45 Lobo Romp Over Western
By Richard Stevens – Senior Writer/GoLobos.com
The guard play that Coach Craig Neal is counting on throughout the 2014-15 season had an impressive debut Saturday in The Pit in an 89-45 romp over Western New Mexico.
Cullen Neal had 22 points, eight assists and six boards. Hugh Greenwood scored 18 points going 4-of-7 from 3-point range. The two perimeter guns combined to go 13-of-22 from the field and UNM went 30-of-61 in the run-and-gun win.
“I think our guards are going to be able to score,” said Coach Neal. “I really feel good about our seven guards.”
The Lobos go into the 2014-15 season looking to fill some major holes inside from the loss of last year’s Twin Towers of Cameron Bairstow and Alex Kirk. The Lobos got a solid inside effort from 7-foot-1 Obij Aget, who scored 13 points and hauled down nine boards.
“He is long and he changes shots,” Neal said of Aget.
Devon Williams added eight boards. UNM had 36 points in the paint to 14 for Western New Mexico, who did not have the height to play with the Lobos inside. “I thought Devon was really, really active,” said Neal. “He didn’t try to do too much.”
The Lobos dominated the boards 52-27 and held the Mustangs to 15-of-54 shooting. The Lobos’ athleticism, length and quickness was impressive.
Against Western, which was 2-23 last year.
“Overall, I was pleased with how we played and we played hard,” said Neal. “We got to play a lot of guy and give them a feel for what (Lobo basketball) is all about. I thought for 25 minutes (in the first half) we were really good. I think we could have shot the ball better.
“There were little things as a coach you want to talk to your team about. When you get up in a game like that, it’s hard to keep a young team that’s excited focused. I think we played OK in the second half. I think we stopped playing a little bit because of the score.”
The Lobos ran to a 54-22 halftime lead and cooled a bit in the second half as Neal experimented with a variety of player combos. UNM won the second half 35-23. The Lobos’ next exhibition game is against Adams State this coming Friday in The Pit.
Both Greenwood and Cullen Neal were impressive on the edge. Neal had one turnover to his eight assists.
“He loves the game and he plays at a high energy level,” said Coach Neal of his son. “I think the weight he has put on has really helped him. He is maturing and getting stronger. He has more of a control thing.”
The Lobos held Western to 27.8 percent shooting on the night. UNM hit at 49.2 percent. The Lobos had four players in double figures as Arthur Edwards added 10 points going 6-of-8 from the free-throw line. UNM was 21-of-33 (63.6 percent) from the foul line. The Lobos created 21 turnovers and had 14. Greenwood and Deshawn Delaney each had four steals.
The attendance was listed at 13,131.