Turnovers hurt UNM against CSU

By Kyle Tomasi

The New Mexico Lobos dug themselves in too deep a hole on Tuesday night against a stingy Colorado State team.

The Lobos dropped their third straight game of the season to the 70-59 at Moby Arena in Fort Collins, Colorado.

The Rams wasted no time jumping out to a big lead to start the game. After their first point, a free throw, the Rams connected on three straight 3-pointers to open up a 10-2 lead on the lackluster Lobos.

“It was like a 12-round bout and the first eight rounds they knocked us all over the ring,” head coach Craig Neal said. “The first half we didn’t play very well and that’s not the way we play.”

At times, the Rams lead got upwards of 23 points with 14:33 remaining in the game. The Lobos did have fight left in the tank to end the game. They found themselves down only eight on multiple occasions in the final three minutes of play.

With 4:34 remaining in the game, senior guard Hugh Greenwood spearheaded a 9-0 run that started with his 3-pointer. Sophomore forward Devon Williams then added a layup and two free throws while senior Deshawn Delaney connected on a pair of free throws, also. This cut the lead to 57-49.

The two teams traded baskets almost the entire rest of the way, neither team being able to stop the other which is exactly what the Lobos didn’t want to happen.

The Lobos (14-10, 6-6 Mountain West) looked unsettled to start the game as they committed 12 turnovers in the opening half. They seemed to have settled down in the second half, only committing four but the Rams took advantage of their opportunities, scoring 21 points off the Lobos turnovers.

“I was happy with our fight. I was happy with what our guys did in the second half,” Neal said. “We showed a lot of heart but you can’t come in against a veteran group like they have and not get physical and go at them early.”

CSU (21-4, 8-4 MW) became the first team this season to score 70 points on UNM. The Lobos had held their last 26 opponents to under 70 points until Tuesday night. 

Delaney was the only Lobo to reach double figures in the scoring column with 21 points. Greenwood added eight points and 10 rebounds.

“I thought DeDe was outstanding, but I thought he was very tentative the first eight minutes of the game,” Neal said. “We have to have him come out at the start of the game like he did in the second half.”

Freshman Xavier Adams scored 11 points off the bench after not playing in the Lobos last game against the Utah State Aggies.

CSU senior forward J.J. Avila scored a team-high 18 points and snatched seven rebounds after only scoring six points and grabbing four rebounds the last time he faced the Lobos.

Kyle Tomasi is a sports reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @KyTo22.