Tonight’s game marked the first true test for the Lobos as
they went up against the Warriors of Hawaii. People have called the first game
at Colorado a tough test, but this game brought a team with size and big
bodies. The Lobos represented very well as they rolled to an 89 to 60 victory
over the Rainbow Warriors.
The first half started really slow and cold from the field
for the home team. The Lobos started 1 for 7 from the field while the Warriors
started fast and jumped out to a ten to four lead 15:59 left in the 1st
half. Unlike the past few years the fans in The Pit got behind the Lobos as
they responded with good offense and strong defense, clawing their way into the
lead at the 11:10 mark. The Pit was on fire, but Hawaii wasn’t just going to
roll over as the they countered with a eight to zero run to go up 18 to 11. The
Lobos weren’t going to have any of that as they stormed back behind the nine
points of JR Giddens and 8 of Chad Toppert for a 38 to 31 halftime lead.
What was interesting unlike the previous few years is that
the apathy that has been quite prevalent the past decade seemed to be throttled
as there was a buzz in the air and a belief that the Lobo fans could and would
have an effect on the game.
The Pit was alive and the Lobos came out with an even
stronger intensity feeding the old monster on the way up building a 15 points
lead quickly! Hawaii like many teams in The Pit history when alive just could
not match the intensity of UNM and they would not get any closer then 11 the
rest of the game as the Lobos cruised to a huge victory and impressive 6-0
start.
It isn’t just the 6-0 start that is impressive, as much as
the players have obviously bought into Coach Alford’s style as they are playing
some very unselfish basketball with 21 assist in the game. The one telling stat
tonight is they only turned the ball over 8 times, when you are playing such a
fast paced game as the lobos were with only 8 turnovers is simply amazing.
Jamaal Smith displays that Lobo hustle
This is type of basketball is what Lobo Fans have been
screaming for many years. It is an entertaining brand, up and down the court
style of offense with intense high pressure defense. Coach Alford has been
harping on his teams to play good defense and this team did that tonight. Their
great defense turned in to easy transition buckets for the Lobos.
Few notes from the game that stood out to me:
· Freshmen Dairese Gary had a great game with 15 points
going 5 for 6 from the field. He hit threes to start each half and his driving
abilities were second to none.
· Daniel Faris had a career high 16 points to go along
with 7 boards, with all the big bodies that Hawaii brought in Faris stepped up
and exploded for a great game.
· JR had a great game also with 15 points and 5 boards.
He is a different player he unselfish and willing to help his teammates get set
up to take the shot.
The Red Menace Player of the Game.
Chad Toppert went 8 for 10 from the field to along
with 4 boards, 3 asst in 23 minutes. Chad showed his range once again but when
he was at the free throw line he missed and went 0-2.
photos courtesy of NewMexicoSportsNews.com