ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team (5-1) stretched its home record to 4-0 this year with a win against the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles (6-2), 91-75, Tuesday in WisePies Arena.
“It was a tale of two halves,” said head coach Craig Neal. “This was a really good challenge for our guys, I thought we came out in the first half and played really, really well and did what were capable of doing. Holding them to 27 points is really good. In the second half, I think the inexperience of them playing together, and the maturity of them playing against the press and playing with the lead like that… that’s something they’ve got to learn. I’m just glad we were able to persevere and handle some bumps. We made some plays and free throws at the end, all in all I thought we played pretty good.”
The Lobos were led by a career-high 29-point effort from starting point guard Cullen Neal, who shot 10-for-20 from the floor and 4-for-7 from 3-point range. He also dished out seven assists, hitting that career-best mark for the third time. Tim Williams logged his third-straight double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds. He shot 10-for-15 from the floor and also logged two blocks.
“I think the best part of the night for me was on the defensive end,” admitted sophomore Neal. “I took three charges and I was able to get some stops. I’ve been working hard on the defensive end and I think that was the most important part tonight.”
The Lobos played some of their best basketball of the season in the first half, building a large lead early and never stepping off the gas pedal. After giving up the first 3-pointer of the game, the Lobos went on an 8-0 run to grab a lead they would never give up. The Lobos finished the first half with three runs of at least eight straight points and entered the break up, 52-27.
It was a complete first half offensively and defensively. The Lobos shot 58.8 percent in the period and 72.7 percent (8-for-11) from deep, the best mark in any half this season. On the opposite end, the Lobos held the visitors, fresh off back-to-back 100 points games, to 10-for-32 shooting. The Golden Eagles were also 2-for-11 from deep. Elijah Brown finished the night with 15 points, but scored 14 in the opening period on 5-for-8 shooting, 4-for-6 from 3-point range. The Lobos also committed just four turnovers before halftime.
“I don’t want to say that’s as good as we can get because hopefully we can get better,” said Williams. “But I think in the first half we were clicking on all cylinders. EB (Elijah Brown), Cullen were shooting the ball well, we were getting stops on defense and I think that’s what started it.”
Oral Roberts showed their toughness in the second half and nearly battled all the way back. The Lobos started the half strong, earning their largest lead of the game at 63-35 with 14:02 remaining. From there, Oral Roberts drained nine of their next 11 shots to spark a run. A Brandon Conley jumper brought the Golden Eagles within eight points with 8:34 left on the clock, but it would be the closest they would get to the Lobos.
After Conley’s basket, Neal earned a transition layup, sparking a 13-2 run that put the Lobos back up by 19 points. From then on, New Mexico led by at least 13 points to seal its fifth win.
“This team hasn’t played that much together, I mean were talking about six games and exhibition season, it’s just a little bit different,” stated Coach Neal. “I think they’re growing, it’s like I said the other day, I like my team and I think they’re growing, but I think there’s going to be some bumps and some ups and downs in our play. I know they’re fun to watch, and they keep me on the end of my seat. They play hard and they try to do the right things all of the time. We’ve got a lot of talented kids.”
The Lobos finished the night at 49.3 percent shooting (33-for-67) and 50 percent (10-for-20) from 3-point range. Oral Roberts shot 40.3 percent (27-for-67) and went 5-for-17 from outside the arc. New Mexico won the turnover battle at 13-16.
Tim Jacobs, Obij Aget and Sam Logwood each notched six points. Jacobs, who shot 2-for-2 from both the floor and free throw line, also dished out four assists. Joe Furstinger brought down a season-high five boards.
The 5-1 start is the second in three seasons for Coach Neal as a head coach, and his sixth as a member of the Lobo coaching staff.
The Lobos will take to the road on Saturday to face off against No. 11 Purdue at 12:15 p.m. MT in West Lafayette, Indiana.
(12/1/2015) MBB vs. Oral Roberts