POSTGAME NOTES | PDF BOX SCORE
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team (15-10, 8-4 MW) put forth a highlight game defensively in defeating the San Jose State Spartans (8-17, 3-9 MW), 74-58, Saturday in WisePies Arena.
The Lobos finished the game holding San Jose State to 30.4 percent shooting (17-for-56), the second best defensive mark this season in Mountain West Conference play. The Spartans took 30 3-pointers, but the Lobos kept them to eight made, good for 26.7 percent.
“All in all a win’s a win,” said head coach Craig Neal. “I don’t know if we were really crisp, it was just good to get a win. Really proud of how they came out with some other things going on. They stayed together, they played hard… I thought the effort was good. Now we have to move forward and get ready for Boise State.”
Offensively, the Lobos were led by Elijah Brown, who scored a team-best 21 points. He shot 9-for-10 from the foul line, improving his season percentage to 87.1 percent. He also registered a team-best four assists and two steals. Tim Williams nearly earned a double-double, with 16 points and a team-high nine rebounds. He shot 7-for-8 and blocked two shots.
“It starts on the defensive end, if we play well there we’ll get easy buckets,” said Brown. “Defense is what makes our team go. When we get stops and were able to keep other teams from getting second or third opportunities at baskets, we’re able to get out and be good in transition.”
The Lobos started off on a rough shooting stretch, allowing the visiting Spartans to keep pace with them over much of the period. The Spartans looked strong over the first six minutes, leading by as much as five points. However, the Lobo defense would find its groove towards the end of the first. With 6:08 left, the Spartans went scoreless for over five minutes. The defensive stand was complemented by 12 unanswered points from New Mexico. A 3-pointer before the break snapped the streak, but the Lobos took a 35-27 lead into halftime.
The Lobos continued to play lockdown defense in the second half and never led the Spartans back into the contest. San Jose State would come within five points of the Lobos with 10:42 to go, but the Lobos ripped off an 8-0 run, highlighted by back-to-back 3-pointers from Brown and Tim Jacobs. Leading 55-42 with 8:42 left, the Lobos would stay up by double-digits for the remainder of the contest. The Lobos held their biggest lead at 67-48 with 4:16 left and cruised to victory.
Overall, the Lobos shot 41.5 percent (22-for-53) from the floor with six 3-pointers. For the second time this season, the Lobos finished the game with more free throws made then field goals, finishing at 24-for-35 from the line. The Lobos won the rebounding battle, 41-36, with 11 offensive boards.
“I thought we got better today because we won,” stated Neal. “I think we’re doing some things defensively to get better, we’re making an effort to get better there. If I help them reach their potential, we’re going to win games. The best thing is that I’m having a lot of fun with them, they’re good kids, they stick up for each other and they’re pretty cohesive.”
Obij Aget scored in double digits with 11 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Sam Logwood, Cullen Neal and Dane Kuiper all logged six points. Kuiper also recorded two blocks. Xavier Adams scored four points at the free throw line and pulled down a career-high seven rebounds.
“I thought the bench was good,” Neal said. “I’ve got complete confidence in those guys. They work hard and they’re going to be great players here. I’ve got no problem putting them in.”
The game served as the Lobos’ annual Lobos Love Pink game. The Lobos wore pink jerseys, and auctioned them off to raise funds for the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center. The program was able to raise $3,640 for the organization.
The Lobos will stay in Albuquerque for their next contest, hosting Boise State Wednesday at 8 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.
(2/13/2016) MBB v. SJSU