No. 25 New Mexico Pounces on Pokes, 91-73

* University of Wyoming press release

LARAMIE -- The Cowboys dropped their first home game in conference play on Tuesday falling to No. 25 New Mexico 91-73 in the Arena-Auditorium.

The Pokes struggled from the field for the second-straight game, shooting 28 percent in the first half but responded shooting 51 percent in the second.

The Cowboys fall to 12-11 overall and 5-5 in conference play.

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“Obviously coming in knowing they had a week off energy was going to be a big part of this game,” UW head coach Jeff Linder said. “When you are playing against one of the fastest teams at the guard position in the country, they present a lot of problems. But in terms of missed shots, we got a lot of open looks and if you don’t get back in transition and shrink the floor New Mexico will make you pay.

"They have really good players and, for our guys, it was a quick turnaround from UNLV. Now we get a week off, which we need with the guys playing a lot of minutes. We have to use this week wisely.”

The Pokes were led by Brendan Wenzel added 20 points for his fourth-straight in double-figures and tenth time this season. It marked the second 20-point scoring game of the season for Wenzel and fourth of his career. Sam Griffin added 19 points for his 19th game in double-figures.

Akuel Kot added 13 points and has scored in double-figures in 21 games this season. Cam Manyawu added 12 points for his second-straight game in double-figures and ninth of the season and led the team with seven rebounds.

The Cowboys shot 40 percent from the field and were held to 26 percent from behind the arc. The Lobos shot 45 percent from the field and knocked down 13 threes on the night. The Lobos dominated the glass with a 51-35 advantage.

The Cowboy offense got off to a slow start in the early goings on the contest with the Lobos jumping out to a 6-1 lead in the first three and a half minutes. Wenzel hit the first shot of the game for Pokes at the 15:46 mark of the opening frame.

The Lobos used the three ball to take a 12-3 lead with under 14 minutes left in the half. The Cowboys went on a 9-0 run over three minutes to tie the contest at 12-12 halfway through the opening 20 minutes. Griffin hit the first three of the game to highlight the run.

The Lobos built a 24-18 lead on the Pokes with a three-ball at the 7:25 mark of the first frame. UNM went on a 13-0 run over two and a half minutes to take a 37-20 lead with under five-minutes left in the first period.

Kot hit a pair of jumpers to make it a 37-25 contest with a few ticks over two minutes left in the opening period. New Mexico would push back the lead and make it a 40-25 game at the half.

Wenzel added a three-pointer and Manyawu added a freebie for a 44-31 game in the first two and a half minutes of the first half, but Jamal Mashburn, Jr. added a four-point play for a 48-31 contest and later made it a 53-33 contest.

The Lobos would maintain the offense and take a 64-40 lead with under 13 minutes left. Wenzel got to double-figures with a three for a 64-45 game, but the Lobos pushed the lead back once again getting to double-digit three pointers.

The Pokes went on a 7-0 run over a minute to make it a 74-61 game with under seven minutes left. Griffin led the charge and got to double-figures. The Pokes would make another charge later for an 84-70 game with under three minutes left. But the Lobos took the contest 91-73.

The Lobos were led by Donovan dent with 19 points. He also added seven assists. JT Toppin added a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Jaelen House added 17 points and eight rebounds.

The Cowboys will have the weekend bye before return to action on Valentine’s Day against Utah State in the Arena-Auditorium in a contest set for an 8 p.m.