Colorado State University Athletics
Lobos Down Rams, 72-61
3/5/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
The University of New Mexico withstood visiting Colorado State?s upset bid Saturday night, defeating the Rams 72-61 in Albuquerque.
The rams overcame an early UNM lead to take a five-point, 38-33 halftime lead behind the play of center Matt Nelson and forward Jason Smith.
But New Mexico used a 17-0 run in the second half ? holding Colorado State scoreless for nine minutes ? to regain the lead and take control of the contest.
Nelson led Colorado State by scoring 15 points and tied for game honors with eight rebounds. Smith had 12 points, and like Nelson, eight rebounds, as did forward Matt Williams.
Nelson, a 7-foot senior center, made six of his seven field goal tires and added three free throws.
New Mexico had four players score in double figures, led by forward Danny Granter?s 19 points.
The Rams fell victim to 24 turnovers on the night, the most in a game this season by Colorado State.
Colorado State finished the game making 21-of-36 field goals, 58 percent, while holding New Mexico to 44.6 percent from the field, 25-of-56. The Rams made 4-of-11 three-point goals including three by guard Jon Rakiecki. The Lobos, meanwhile, made 8-of-26 shots behind the arc en route to the win.
With the loss, Colorado State drops to 11-16 overall, 3-11 in Mountain West Conference play while New Mexico is 23-6, 10-4. The Rams will face top-seeded Utah in the first round of the conference tournament Thursday in Denver at 12 noon MT.
