Game Recap: Utah Valley 83, New Mexico 69
A cold shooting night dooms Lobos early.
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New Mexico knocked out of the first round of the NIT by a hot handed Utah Valley.
ALBUQUERQUE, NM–It’s mid-March, a joyous time for college basketball fans around the country. So with the regular season and Mountain West Conference Tournament having come to an end, the lights inside the Pit were still on.
This time hosting something fans aren’t particularly used to anymore. A postseason game, as a part of the NIT field.
After one of the best seasons of Lobo basketball in quite awhile, the stage was set.
The Lobos were hoping to reward a loyal fan base, who showed out this season, with a home court postseason victory. The WAC regular season champions Utah Valley had something else in mind.
The Wolverines balanced and efficient attack began early. Taking the 9-4 lead in the first five minutes of play, with points contributed by four different players. The Lobos responded with an 8-0 run of their own, to take the 12-9 lead, their last lead of the half.
After a KJ Jenkins layup tied things up at 14 a piece. The Wolverines would go on a scoring run, led by Justin Harmon that would give them their biggest lead of the game. A disconcerning 40-25 scoreline approaching the four minute mark.
Harmon would score 16 of his 20 first half points during this time before heading to the bench after receiving a knock in the face working in the paint.
For New Mexico, they couldnt buy a basket, especially from beyond the arc.
Big man Morris Udeze had a near double-double before halftime, with 14 points and 9 rebounds of his own.
While the Lobos star guards Jalen House and Jamal Mashburn Jr. were non-existent in the first half. With a combined 6 points off of 2-13 shooting from the floor.
As a whole the Lobos failed to knock down a single three. Which isn’t a huge shocker as it is something they’ve struggled with all year long.
But a lack of defense on a surging player…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/2023-nit-mexico-knocked-nit-054632645.html?src=rss
Author : Mountain West Wire
Publish date : 2023-03-16 05:46:32
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