UNM Game Notes | Live Audio | Live Stats
FRESNO, Calif. – After winning seven of its last nine games, the University of New Mexico basketball team will look for another victory as the team travels to Fresno State Saturday. Tip-off time is set for 3 p.m. PT/4 p.m. MT and will air on CBS Sports Network (Comcast 274/838 HD, DISH 158, DirecTV 221).
The Lobos come into the game with a 16-10 overall record and 9-5 record in the Mountain West, which is one game back from first place.
New Mexico coming off a big win against Boise State on Tuesday. The Lobos claimed a 78-73 win over the Broncos. The Lobos played solid defense in the first half, holding the Broncos to a little over six-minute scoring drought. Elijah Brown led the Lobos in the second half, scoring 17 of the final 19 points, including 15 straight in that stretch.
As a team, the Lobos are the shooting a league-best 47 percent from the field. They also lead the league in free throw shooting at 75.9 percent, which is 24th in the nation.
Elijah Brown continues to lead the team, averaging 19.1 points per game and 21.6 points per game in conference action. With those numbers, he now leads the conference in both categories.
The last time the Lobos faced Fresno State was in their Mountain West opener inside WisePies Arena – The Pit on Dec. 28. The Lobos took down the Bulldogs 78-73, winning their sixth straight Mountain West opener.
Since then, Fresno State is now 15-11 on the season and 7-7 in the Mountain West. The Bulldogs are coming off a 77-59 victory over San Jose State. That win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Bulldogs.
They have four players averaging in double figures on the season. Jaron Hopkins leads the team at 13.4 points per game. He is shooting 48.7 percent from the field. Paul Watson is second on the team, averaging 11.8 points per game. Deshon Taylor leads the team in conference action at 15.6 points per game.
As a team, the Bulldogs are shooting 44.0 percent from the field in conference games and 46.1 percent on the year. From the three, they are shooting 34.5 percent on the year and 32.6 percent in conference play. They are averaging 75.8 points per game in league action and are allowing teams to score 74.1 points per game.
ABOUT THE COACHES
Craig Neal is in his fourth season with the Lobos and owns a 75-48 career record at UNM. He is the first coach in Mountain West history to win on the road at San Diego State, Colorado State and Boise State. Rodney Terry is in his sixth season with Fresno State and owns a 100-95 career record. He recorded his 100th win on Wednesday night against San Jose State.
ABOUT THE SERIES
New Mexico and Fresno State will face off for the 25th time in program history. This will be the 13th match-up in Fresno, California. The Lobos are 15-9 against the Bulldogs and are 4-8 on the road. Coach Neal is 5-2 against Fresno State.
ABOUT THE BROADCAST
Saturday’s game will broadcast on CBS Sports Network (Comcast 274/838 HD, DISH 158, DirecTV 221). Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. PT/4 p.m. MT. The game will also be available on the radio on New Mexico’s flagship station 770 KKOB with the broadcast brought to you by Robert Portnoy and Lobo great Hunter Greene. The TuneIn radio app will also be available.