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| New Mexico players attack the ball while Christian Kabongo attempts to drive to the basket. Kabongo scored only eight points on 3-15 FG and 0-2 3-Ptr. He also had six turnovers. Zack Ponce |
It was neither the outcome nor the performance Aggie fans at the sold-out Pan American Center hoped to see on Wednesday night when the New Mexico Lobos came to town.
The Lobos handled the Aggies 89-67 to split the season series in the Rio Grande Rivalry, avenging the Nov. 16 loss at The Pit.
The Lobos controlled the game from start and finish in large part because of efficient three-point shooting. UNM hit 12 three-pointers on the night, four of which were by sophomore guard Tony Snell.
“The Lobos shot the lights out tonight, and it was one of those things where we had no answer for their three-ball,” NM State coach Marvin Menzies said of the difference in three-point shooting between the two teams. “We go 1-14, they go 12-24 and that’s pretty much the story of the game.”
UNM also forced 17 Aggie turnovers in the game, including 11 in the first half. The Lobos turned the ball over 15 times, but NM State was unable to convert them into the points as the Aggies only shot 32.4 percent from the field in the game.
“Tonight we were bad on both sides of the ball. When you play that way against a good team, you don’t have a chance,” Menzies said. “Against a very good and solid team you’ve got to bring your ‘A’ game and we brought our ‘C’ game.”
Another key difference from the first game for the Lobos was the play of Drew Gordon. The senior forward had 23 points and 19 rebounds on Wednesday, a substantial improvement from the first meeting against the Aggies in which he finished with two points and eight rebounds.
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| Drew Gordon holds the ball during an NCAA basketball game against in-state rival New Mexico State. Gordon responded after a career-worst game at The Pit to total 23 points, 19 rebounds, and two steals. The Aggies held Gordon to only two points and eight rebounds on Nov. 16, 2011. Zack Ponce |
“He wanted to come back and make a statement because he didn’t play well the first time around,” Menzies said of Gordon. “He came in and played with more composure, made his shots and was very aggressive with rebounding.”
Wendell McKines led the way for Aggies, scoring a game-high 25 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. The senior forward recorded his seventh double-double of the season, but it was not enough to overcome the Lobos’ impressive shooting performance.
“They had much more energy than last time and a lot more urgency,” McKines said of the Lobos. "That's the best three-point shooting performance I've seen in the Pam Am since I've been here.”
With the loss, the Aggies fall to 8-5 and conclude their 5-game home stand against Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday. The Lobos go to 11-2 and return to Albuquerque to face Saint Louis on the same day.
McKines said one loss will not dictate the Aggies’ season and the team hopes to peak at the right time.
"Every season is a journey. We’re just in a little bump in the road right now,” McKines said. “We’re looking forward to playing our best basketball in March, so we’ve still got a ways to go.”
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| Kendall Williams drives to the basket during an NCAA basketball game against in-state rival New Mexico State. Williams had 12 points and four assists. Zack Ponce |
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