McGee Hits 20, Lobos Top SJSU by 32
BOX SCORE (PDF) | PHOTO GALLERY | POST-GAME NOTES | POST-GAME QUOTES
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team rebounded from a tough loss against No. 6 Nevada with a 32-point victory over San José State on Wednesday night at Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit marking the largest victory margin for the Lobos over a Division I opponent this season.
Three of the Lobos’ five conference wins on the season have come by a margin of 25 points or more.
Redshirt-sophomore Keith McGee led the Lobos for the second time in the last three games with his UNM-career-high 20 points that included a 4-for-6 performance from 3-point range, 7-for-10 from the floor. McGee has scored 10 or more points in three of his last four games and is now averaging 10.4 points per game in Mountain West play.
McGee led four Lobos to score in double figures including junior Corey Manigault (17), senior Anthony Mathis (16) and sophomore Makuach Maluach (14). Sophomore Vladimir Pinchuk led UNM in rebounds with seven in just 15 minutes on the court while Manigault added six.
Here’s a little compilation of our favorite clips from tonight’s win over SJSU! Lobos back in action on Saturday in The Pit against Fresno State at 5 p.m. on ESPN3. #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/5Iv7NDtcGw
— Lobo Basketball (@UNMLoboMBB) February 14, 2019
A pair of Lobos tallied five assists apiece including redshirt-sophomore Vance Jackson and senior Dane Kuiper, contributing to UNM’s successful offensive effort.
The Lobos (11-13, 5-7 MW) fired at a clip of 50.0 percent from the field for the second time in the last three games including a 51.9 percent mark from behind the arc. UNM held SJSU (3-20, 0-11 MW) to 35.3 percent from the floor and 23.5 percent from three-point range.
All 12 eligible Lobos saw action in the game including all four freshmen.
McGee got the game off on the right foot with an early three at the 18:58 mark and didn’t let off the gas from there. While the Spartans were able to keep the game close through the first 16 minutes that included eight tied scores, UNM went on a 15-2 run to close the last 5:01 of the first half.
The key run was sparked by back-to-back threes from Jackson and put the Lobos in the locker room up by 10 at the break, 42-32.
The Lobos extended the run into the second half to 30-7 and continued to dominate offensively, increasing the lead to a game-high 33 points (90-57) with 1:18 left en route to the 32-point final, 92-60. During the 30-7 run, the Lobos were 11-of-13 from the field, shooting 3-for-4 from behind the arc to go along with five free throws.
UNM outscored the Spartans 50-28 in the second half for the final score, limiting SJSU to just 33.3 percent (11-33) from the floor and 16.7 percent (1-for-6) from behind the arc.
The Lobos committed just 10 turnovers while forcing 11, but converted them for 14 points compared to just two for the Spartans.
New Mexico is set to return to action on Saturday, Feb. 16 when it hosts Fresno State inside Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit on ESPN3.