ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Freshman DJ Richards poured in a career-high 20 points, but it wasn't enough as New Mexico remained unbeaten and defeated UTSA, 94-76 in front of 10,049 fans at the Pit.
UTSA (5-4) dropped just its second road game of the season Saturday afternoon against a red-hot New Mexico squad that has yet to suffer a setback this season. The Lobos (9-0) built an early 21-point first-half lead and managed to hold it through the second half on their way to the ninth straight victory.
Richards' career night was the first 20-point performance of his young career, and it was the second time this season that the freshman out of Houston led UTSA in scoring. Outside of his 20 points, Richards had six rebounds and a steal to go along with eight free throw makes. Accompanying Richards in double-figures was John Buggs III who tallied 11 points to go with a pair of rebounds and four assists. Senior big man Jacob Germany went for seven points and pulled down eight boards while Isaiah Addo-Ankrah had eight points and two rebounds.
The Rundown
The scoring started fast as it was 9-7 in favor of the home team at the first media timeout. New Mexico coach Richard Pitino had his team ready out of the break, as the Lobos ripped off a 13-0 run to take a 22-7 lead which was punctuated with a Jaelen House transition three. The New Mexico lead would eventually balloon to as much as 21 as the Lobos went up 40-19 with a little over six minutes remaining in the half. The Roadrunners finished the half strong however, pulling within 12 by cutting the Lobo lead to 50-38. Both teams shot extremely well in the first half as the Roadrunners entered the break shooting 46.4 percent from the floor and 53.3 percent from beyond the arc while the Lobos recorded a 51.9 shooting percentage from the floor.
UTSA came out of the half continuing their end of half momentum as Richards got the Roadrunners started by canning a triple. Japhet Medor had a fastbreak layup after a defensive stand while Lachlan Bofinger had a second chance putback to trim the lead to eight. After another defensive stand, freshman Massal Diouf converted two free throws to put UTSA within six, trimming away at what was at one point a 21-point lead. UNM didn't fold however and countered UTSA's run by going to the line. The Lobos used 26 charity stripe appearances to support their second-half scoring efforts. The consistent trips to the line stopped any UTSA runs and New Mexico reclaimed game control and built a lead back up to 24 points, its largest of the game. The Lobos would eventually go on to win by 19.
Stat of the Game
New Mexico shot a whopping 46 free throws this afternoon, making 38, and doubling UTSA's total of 23 attempts. The fouls prevented UTSA from getting into any sort of offensive rhythm as starting point guard Japhet Medor battled foul trouble all day and eventually fouled out. Big man Massal Diouf also fouled out in today's contest.
Up Next
UTSA will wrap up its two-game mountain road trip by playing at Utah on Tuesday, Dec. 13, in Salt Lake City. Tuesday night's game against the Utes is set to be streamed on Pac-12 Networks. Tuesday night's showdown is scheduled to tip off at 8 p.m. CT and will be broadcast over the air on Ticket 760 AM.
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