ALBUQURQUE, N.M.– In a game that featured very few open looks at the basket, New Mexico used a key second half run to build a 17-point lead and then held on, 54-46 over the ULM men's basketball program on Saturday in front of a noisy 13,710 fans at The Pit.
Sophomore Nick Coppola recorded a team-high nine points for the Warhawks (4-4), while senior Tylor Ongwae registered eight points and seven rebounds.
UNM's (6-3) Deshawn Delaney was the only player in double-figures in the contest with 15 points and eight rebounds.
The Warhawks were on top early, 9-4, after Ongwae drilled a three-pointer and senior Marvin Williams converted a jumper and a pair of free throws. After UNM came back to tie it, 9-9, ULM used a 5-0 run to go back in front, 14-9 after a three-pointer by Coppola with 11:15 left.
ULM still led, 17-15 when the Lobos responded with a 5-0 run to take the lead, 20-17 with 6:45 remaining. After a lay-up by junior Justin Roberson, UNM answered with a 6-0 spurt to end the half and go into the locker room leading, 26-19.
The Warhawks trailed 30-25 in the second half when the Lobos darted ahead, 39-25, after a 9-0 run with 12:15 to go.
UNM had extended its lead to 48-31 when ULM made a late push and used a big 11-0 run to get back in the game, 48-42 at the 3:48 mark. A jumper by junior Jamaal Samuel kept it at a 50-44 game, but the Lobos were able to hold defensively in the end.
ULM will return home for a pair of contests beginning on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 7:00 p.m. against Central Baptist. The Warhawks will play their final non-conference home game on Friday, Dec. 19 at 7:00 p.m. against LSU-Alexandria.
NOTES
- The Warhawks entered the game leading the Sun Belt Conference in field goal percentage defense (.355) and ranked top-15 in the country, and they lowered it further as they held UNM to 21-62 (.339)
- ULM limited UNM to just .242 shooting in the first half on 8-33 from the field
- The Warhawks shot a season-high .846 (11-13) from the free throw line
- Despite allowing 20 offensive rebounds, the Warhawks still led in second-chance points, 18-14
- It marked the first time this season that Coppola led the team in scoring. He was a perfect 4-4 from the charity stripe
- The game was the first-ever between the two programs
Quoting ULM head coach Keith Richard
Opening Statement
“That was a very good Lobo defense. I knew before the game how big they were, not just inside but their guards as well. They play a three-point line and in defense, and it's tough when you're not a great three-point shooting team. We tried all night to get inside and get fouled, but UNM has a really tough defense. This is a tough place to play and obviously one of the loudest places in the country. We fought hard, played hard and defended well at times. We just couldn't get baskets to go in, especially mid-range, and we really needed some of those when we were driving through the lane.”
On the limited amounts of scoring opportunities
“We knew going in that this would be a low scoring game because that's the way New Mexico plays everyone. I'm not discouraged about our play tonight. I knew it was going to be a challenge and that offensive rebounding could be an issue at times, and it was. We really needed our guards to play well offensively, but we really struggled.”
On fighting back after trailing by 17 in the second half
“We were down by six with the ball after a timeout and we missed an elbow shot from one of our perimeter players. If that shot went down it could have really made it interesting. Though that was the kind of night that it was for us. I have to give New Mexico a lot of credit. They are big and long, and it's hard to get around them and get a clean look.”
Closing Statement
“It was a good experience for our players to come to a hostile environment like this. I'm sure there will be games like this in conference play where we have to struggle and grind. It won't be easy, but we have to try and find a way to win.”
