FRESNO, Calif. – The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team (9-6, 2-0 MW) won their second-straight Mountain West Conference game, defeating the Fresno State Bulldogs (10-5, 1-1 MW), 77-62, on the road Saturday.
The Lobos were led by sophomore Cullen Neal who scored a game-best 26 points, three shy of his career-high. The total pushed Neal over 500 points for his career with 515 total. He shot 7-for-14 from the floor and added five rebounds and three assists, tying Elijah Brown for the team-high. Brown also had 12 points, including a perfect 7-for-7 at the free throw line. He’s now made 27 consecutive free throws over three games. Obij Aget had his second-straight double doubles with 10 points and 10 rebounds. He also swatted three shots and went 5-for-8 from the floor.
New Mexico jumped out to an early lead in the first half and never trailed against the Bulldogs. With the score tied at 4-4, the Lobos opened up the lead with a 9-2 run. After a layup at the 16:51 mark, the Lobos held the home team without a field goal for nearly six minutes, taking their first double-digit lead. New Mexico led by as much as 19 points in the first half and entered the break up, 44-27. Neal had 20 of his 26 in the first half to help establish New Mexico’s advantage.
The Lobos maintained control of the game in the second half and never gave up their double-digit lead. A transition dunk with 14 minutes left from Sam Logwood gave the Lobos their first 20 point lead. New Mexico kept applying pressure, and took the team’s largest lead at 24 on a 3-pointer from Brown. The experienced Bulldogs never gave in, and cut the Lobos’ lead to 10 with 1:47 left, but never threatened to steal the result. The game ended on an emphatic dunk from Aget to seal the 15-point victory.
This is the fourth straight 2-0 start to MW play for the Lobos, encompassing all three years with Craig Neal as head coach. Overall, the team shot 53.2 percent (25-for-47) from the floor and 42.9 percent (6-for-14) from 3-point range. The Lobos held Fresno State to 36.1 percent (26-for-72) shooting and 5.6 percent (1-for-18) from outside. The Lobos won the rebounding battle, 39-37, with eight offensive boards.
Tim Williams finished his night with 13 points on 4-for-7 shooting. He was one rebound short of a double-double with nine, three on offense. He also had two blocks and two assists. Logwood recorded six points and four boards. Tim Jacobs scored four points with two rebounds. Xavier Adams and Jordan Hunter each scored three points off the bench. Adams also logged two assists, blocks and steals apiece.
The Lobos will return home on Saturday, Jan. 9 to host Utah State in WisePies Arena at 4 p.m.
Lobos Victorious at Fresno State, 77-62
