Lobos Overpower 4th-Place SDSU; McGee Scores 19
BOX SCORE (PDF) | PHOTO GALLERY | POST-GAME NOTES | POST-GAME QUOTES
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Behind a season-high 19 points from redshirt-sophomore Keith McGee, The University of New Mexico came back from a one-point halftime deficit with 47 second-half points to take down fourth-place San Diego State 83-70 on Tuesday night in The Pit on ESPN2.
The last time the Lobos scored at least 47 points in the second half was in UNM’s 27-point victory over then-No. 5/6 Nevada, exactly one month ago (Jan. 5), handing the Wolf Pack its only loss of the season to date.
UNM improves to 10-12 overall, 4-6 in league play, while SDSU falls to 13-9, 5-4 MW.
The Lobos fired at a clip of 53.8 percent from the field, marking the second-highest shooting percentage of the season behind 59.6 on Nov. 17 against NMSU. After allowing the Aztecs to shoot 45.2 percent in the first half, UNM limited SDSU to just 38.2 percent in the second frame (13-34) for a total of 41.5 percent on the night.
“San Diego State was awesome to start, but over the course of the game, we got a feel for our defense. We are growing into it every day,” head coach Paul Weir said. “We’ve been tinkering with our team all season, but we will keep chipping away at it.
“SDSU is a great basketball team. They are athletic and are playing very well right now, so for us, this is a good win.”
McGee, who went 8-for-10 from the floor, senior Anthony Mathis and sophomore Makuach Maluach were the three Lobos to lead in double figures. Mathis registered 17 points, marking his 18th game this season scoring 10 or more, and scored all 17 in the second half. Maluach collected 11 points and tied his career-high three blocks.
MALUACH SAYS NO! #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/JhvKHTDgEJ
— Lobo Basketball (@UNMLoboMBB) February 6, 2019
Redshirt-junior Carlton Bragg brought down 11 boards for the second straight game in double figures on the glass.
SDSU was led by standout Jalen McDaniels who collected 25 points and posted nine boards.
The first half was a back-and-forth of runs as the Aztecs jumped out to a 16-6 lead in the first four minutes, but the Lobos went on a 9-0 run over 3:23 to make it 16-15 SDSU at the 12:37 mark.
The teams tied it three times before SDSU went on another run, this time 11-0 over 4:01 to take a 33-22 lead with 5:37 left in the first half.
With SDSU leading by eight with 3:10 left, the resilient Lobos refused to let the Aztecs score again, going on a 7-0 run over the remainder of the half. UNM held the Aztecs scoreless over the final 3:10 of the half to go into the break down by one, 37-36.
Tuesday night not only breaks SDSU’s three-game win streak, but also snaps UNM’s three-game loss streak and breaks UNM’s seven-game streak of losing after trailing at the half.
SDSU came out with the first shot of the second half to increase its lead to three, but UNM exploded with a 22-4 run to get out to a 15-point advantage, 58-43 with 13:46 left, and didn’t let up from there.
The Lobos made it a 20-point game by the 8:09 mark and the Aztecs tried to battle back, but would get no closer than 14 until the final free throw of the game with 51 seconds left for the 13-point final.
Dane Kuiper with the STEAL and the DUNK!#GoLobos pic.twitter.com/1aWJ6prLJw
— Lobo Basketball (@UNMLoboMBB) February 6, 2019
On the night, UNM outscored SDSU in the paint 36-34, on the fast break (30-20) and off the bench (38-15). Additionally, the Lobos capitalized on SDSU’s 16 turnovers for 25 points to just 13 points for the Aztecs.
UNM is set to return to action on the road on Saturday, Feb. 9 at No. 6/6 Nevada. The game is scheduled to air on CBS Sports Network at 4 p.m. MT.