Lobos’ depth is difference at Wyoming
January 15, 2012 - 2:01 am
LARAMIE, Wyo. -- New Mexico's big men were struggling and starting point guard Hugh Greenwood was out with an ankle sprain. No problem for the Lobos.
New Mexico used its deep bench to push its winning streak to 13 games with a 72-62 victory over Wyoming on Saturday.
Jamal Fenton, starting in place of Greenwood, made three 3-pointers and scored 13 points, and reserve Phillip McDonald hit two long-range shots during the Lobos' clinching 17-2 run. Kendall Williams scored a team-high 14 points and had a game-high five assists for New Mexico (15-2, 1-0 Mountain West).
Francisco Cruz scored 22 points, Leonard Washington 15 and Luke Martinez 11 for Wyoming (14-3, 0-1), which lost for the first time in 12 home games.
New Mexico, a strong 3-point shooting team, shot 8-for-14 from beyond the arc, and the Lobos' reserves outscored the Cowboys' 22-4.
"I thought Tony (Snell) had an off-scoring night, Drew (Gordon) never got in rhythm, and we don't play Hugh -- so that's three starters -- and we come in and did a lot of good things," Lobos coach Steve Alford said. "I don't know too many benches that are as good as our bench."
Fenton said he was ready for the challenge of leading the team.
"Coach preached about me the whole time just running the show," he said. "Right before the game, he said, "It's either you or (Wyoming's JayDee) Luster running the show. Who's going to be better?' and I told him, "I'm going to be better this game.' ''
In nonconference play, Wyoming held opponents to 28 percent from 3-point range, but New Mexico shot 57 percent.
"I thought their substitutes did a great job. They really complement the interior," Wyoming coach Larry Shyatt said. "Those 3-balls hurt us; those were the difference. They're a good enough team that if they knock down 8 for 14, they're going to be tough to beat."
Martinez's 3-pointer with 14:37 to play drew Wyoming even at 44-all, but Gordon's 15-footer on the ensuing possession ignited New Mexico's big roll. Cameron Bairstow made a layup, Demetrius Walker converted a 3-point play and Snell sank a 3 to make the score 53-44.
After Cruz stemmed the tide with a 12-footer, McDonald hit back-to-back 3-pointers, then Chad Adams had a steal and fed Fenton for a layup to put the Lobos up 61-46 with 5:05 to go. Wyoming got no closer than seven thereafter.
■ Air Force 74, Boise State 59 -- At Boise, Idaho, Mike Fitzgerald scored 16 points, and Taylor Broekhuis had 15 points and 10 rebounds as the Falcons (11-4, 1-0) defeated the Broncos, who were playing their first Mountain West game ever.
Todd Fletcher added 13 points and Taylor Stewart 12 for the Falcons, who have won five in a row. Air Force played without leading scorer Michael Lyons (ankle) for the sixth consecutive game.
Jeff Elorriaga scored 12 points on four 3-pointers for Boise State (10-6, 0-1), which has lost five of seven.
Air Force led 53-40 with 10:48 left after Kamryn Williams scored five points in 20 seconds on a 3-pointer and a transition layup. The Falcons' lead topped out at 63-48 with 6:25 to play.
■ Colorado State 95, Texas Christian 89 -- At Fort Collins, Colo., Will Bell scored a career-high 23 points, and Wes Eikmeier had four of his 21 during the second overtime as the Rams (12-4, 1-0 MWC) outlasted the Horned Frogs (10-6, 0-1).
Bell also blocked a shot that secured Colorado State's seventh straight win.
Hank Thorns (Valley High) scored 21 points and Amric Fields 20 for TCU, which suffered its 12th consecutive conference road defeat.