ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team (2-0) won its eighth straight game in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and 14 out of the last 16 meetings, against the New Mexico State Aggies (1-1) Sunday, 83-74.
The Lobos were led by a career-night from sophomore Elijah Brown, who scored 31 points on 8-for-17 shooting. The guard scored 13 of his points at the line out of 14 attempts. It’s the most points a Lobo has scored since Alex Kirk dropped in 32 on Nov. 22, 2013. He also tied the game-high of six rebounds. Fellow sophomore Cullen Neal scored 18 points with five rebounds.
“This group has really grown up since the second exhibition game and figured out what they need to do,” said head coach Craig Neal. “They’ve bought into everything. The three guys who sat out last year (Neal, Brown and Wiliams) have been around for a while and are making an easy transition, and our freshmen have great basketball minds, and they’ve been able to adjust. It was good to get minutes out of them.”
The Aggies brought the fight to the road team right away, making six of their first seven shots. The Lobos did not start as hot, and found themselves down after shooting 2-for-11 midway through the first period. With roughly 10 minutes left in the half, Elijah Brown sparked a run that brought the Lobos back in the game. He scored five straight points to start an 11-2 run that tied the game at 25.
Brown continued to score at will, and brought his total in the half to 22 points on a buzzer-beating midrange jumper that gave New Mexico a 39-38 lead at the break. Brown shot 6-for-8 in the first half and 8-for-9 from the free throw line. The rest of the Lobos hustled their way to a lead in the first half, bringing down six offensive rebounds and drawing six Aggie turnovers.
It was the Lobos turn to start hot in the second half, shooting 6-for-8 and getting to the basket at will. The run helped the Lobos control the second half, and by the 8:52 mark, New Mexico held its largest lead at 68-56.
The Aggies did not go away easily, and despite never fully mounting a comeback, the home team came within three points of the Lobos at 71-68 with four minutes left. Through a difficult stretch, the Lobos kept their resolve and made timely buckets. With two minutes left and leading by six, the Lobos secured the victory with lockdown defense, forcing the Aggies to shoot 0-for-6 to finish the game.
Overall, the Lobos shot 45 percent (27-for-60) from the floor, 41.2 percent (7-for-17) from distance, and a near perfect 95.7 percent (22-for-23) from the foul line. They held New Mexico State to 40.3 percent (25-for-62) shooting, including 19 missed 3-pointers. The Lobos brought down 14 offensive rebounds and won the rebounding battle, 37-34.
Sam Logwood scored nine points and pulled down five boards. Obij Aget secured a game high-tying six boards for the second straight night and earned six points as well. Tim Williams logged eight points on 4-for-8 shooting.
The Lobos will return to WisePies Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. to face Loyola-Chicago.
(11/16/2015) Men’s Basketball at New Mexico State
Lobos win Eighth Straight Road Game at New Mexico State, 83-74
