GAME NOTES: Winners of eight in a row, the New Mexico Lobos try for the season split tonight when they clash with the New Mexico State Aggies at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces.
The Lobos, who have lost just twice in 2011-12, last took the floor six days ago when they crushed UMKC at home in an 87-62 final. The last setback for UNM came on November 24 versus Santa Clara, 79-76, in overtime as part of the 76 Classic in Anaheim, California.
Meanwhile, the Aggies went through a stretch in late November/early December in which they dropped four of five outings, but since then the team has rattled off three straight victories. A week ago, New Mexico State hosted McNeese State and came up with an 82-62 final. The Aggies are in the midst of a five-game homestand which sees them hosting Arkansas-Pine Bluff on New Year's Eve before hitting the road for a couple of contests.
The Lobos lead the all-time series between the in-state foes by a count of 112-95, although the Aggies do hold a 58-41 advantage in Las Cruces dating back to the first-ever meeting more than a century ago. Earlier this season, NMSU defeated the Lobos in The Pit, 62-53, but since then UNM has gone nearly undefeated with nine wins in 10 opportunities.
The Lobos dialed up the defense against UMKC last week, forcing the visitors into 24 turnovers and allowing them to shoot just 40.3 percent from the floor and 8-of-31 behind the three-point line. Phillip McDonald and Drew Gordon led the offense for the hosts with 18 points apiece, the former getting the job done in just 19 minutes off the bench. Jamal Fenton tacked on another 16 points and handed out eight assists as he played just 19 minutes in a reserve role as well. Tony Snell dropped in 12 points, although he shot just 1-of-5 behind the three-point line. After shooting less than 39.0 percent from the field in three straight games, the Lobos have managed to make good on better than 53.0 percent from the floor in the last two, and that has led to a combined 178 points which is by far the best two-game effort of the season thus far. Snell checks in with 13.3 ppg overall, followed by Gordon who is averaging a double-double with 11.6 points and 10.5 rebounds per outing.
Against McNeese State, the Aggies scored the first points of the contest and never looked back as they connected on a sizzling 58.0 percent from the floor in order to offset just 18-of-33 at the free-throw line and a total of 17 turnovers. Wendell McKines led the hosts both out on the perimeter (4-of-5 behind the three-point line) and in the paint (17 rebounds) as he finished with a double-double thanks to a game-high 23 points. Reserves Christian Kabongo and Bandja Sy accounted for 15 and 13 points, respectively, as the NMSU bench outscored McNeese State's backups, 33-14. McKines is a tough matchup for many programs as he averages a double-double with 17.5 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, while also leading the program in three-point shooting (20-of-47). Kabongo (15.3 ppg) and Hernst Laroche (11.5 ppg) are also key figures for a team that is generating 78.9 ppg.
No matter what happens for each of these teams during the season, most of it means nothing when they collide. Certainly the Lobos have revenge as a motivating factor, but still Gordon needs much more help on the inside to get New Mexico the win.
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