The UNM men's basketball team has been the victim of runs this season but the Lobos hope Saturday's win sparks a victory over the University of Wyoming on senior night.
During two losses to the University of Utah and Brigham Young University last week, the UNM men's basketball team could not stop scoring runs by both the Cougars and Utes after the Lobos held leads.
Saturday's game was also decided by a scoring run, only this time it worked to the Lobos' favor.
After being down 10-7 in the early minutes, the Lobos went on a 22-7 scoring tear, punctuated by Tim Lightfoot's 3-pointer at the 2:10 mark of the first half.
It was decisive, as the Lobos held a 33-21 advantage at halftime. But they returned to recent form in the second half when the offense stalled.
Cody Payne slammed home a dunk at the 12:25 mark of the second half to give the Lobos a 48-35 lead, and UNM would hit only one field goal - an Eric Chatfield fast break deuce - until Douglas' leaner in the lane with less than four minutes remaining in the game.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
The Lobos' saving grace was a mismatched CSU team and nine made foul shots, which allowed them to extend their run of wins over the Rams to 14 straight.
During tonight's Big Monday match-up against the University of Wyoming (20-5, 9-2 Mountain West Conference), the Lobos will be looking to end a five-game losing run to the Cowboys in Fran Fraschilla's three-year tenure as UNM head coach. The game will also mark the last regular season home games for seniors Pat Kelly, Lightfoot, Chatfield and the seldom-used Beau Anderson.
"Anytime Wyoming comes in, they're smacking us every time," point guard Senque Carey said. "It would be especially good to get a win for the seniors. That would mean a lot to them."
The game actually means a lot to both teams.
The Cowboys are in sole possession of first place in the conference with a 9-2 mark after defeating the Air Force Academy Saturday, while the Lobos are alone in fourth place. And with teams jockeying for seeding position entering the conference tournament next week, a win could certainly help the Lobos.
With Wyoming looking somewhat susceptible right now, with a recent loss to San Diego State University and Saturday's three-point win over Air Force, it could be a good time to capitalize.
"If they don't appear to be a juggernaut, it's because the league from one to eight is as balanced as any league in the country," Fraschilla said. "They're still a very, very good team."
As they say goodbye to the four seniors, the Lobos also say goodbye to nearly 20 points per game from Lightfoot and Chatfield.
Fraschilla said Kelly and Anderson might not have contributed much on the court at game time, but were nonetheless important to the team.
"The guys requested that I give (Anderson) a tryout," Fraschilla said. "And he's been a delight; his dream was to wear a Lobo uniform.
"Pat Kelly, it's hard to put into in words what he's meant. He's one of the best guys you could ever coach."
Fraschilla also praised Lightfoot and Chatfield.
"Tim has been the ultimate team guy," Fraschilla said. "He's one of the best shooters I've ever been around.
"Eric has given us a great two years. The biggest thing I think about Eric is that he's always come to work. He's given us a little bit of toughness on the floor that we needed."
Game time is set for 10 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN and heard on 770-KKOB AM.
