It's crunch time and the Lobos get it. They've
illustrated that fact all season, and Tuesday night was no different. In
front of 18,018 at the Pit, the Lobos put together an impressive second half of
basketball on an emotional Senior Night. The game started slow with
neither team finding much rhythm on offense; field goal shooting was lackluster
for both the Lobos (36.7%) and the Rebels (32.3%) alike. Beyond the box
score, both teams scored high marks in the effort and hustle categories.
However, after halftime the Lobos were the team to
break the impasse as they rose to the occasion and proved to everyone they
wanted the game more. There were too many plays to pinpoint,
but Ro's countless hustle plays, Chad's timely 3's and J.R.'s thundering
dunk highlighted a second half effort that epitomized the entire year for this
team. The defensive effort was the best I have seen all year, and it
completely neutralized UNLV who is far more athletic than the Lobos. What
the Lobos lack in quickness they made up with pure determination. I lost
count, but the Lobos got nearly every loose ball and did all the little
things necessary to win in March. With the same never quit attitude
and toughness we as fans have grown to love this year, the Lobos out worked and
out muscled the Rebels to build their lead from just two points at halftime to
14 when the dust settled.
Our seniors did the job again, as they have all year.
J.R. filled the box score...again...with 17 points, 15 rebounds and five
assists in almost 40 full minutes of action. Even more revealing of his
stellar effort was going 5 for 6 from the line where he has struggled this
season. If J.R. is passed up for POY it will be criminal. Jamaal
only scored 2, but did all the little things once again as he ran the show and
provided the spark off the bench. Darren turned in a solid effort, which
he really deserved. I want to say some extra things about Darren, because
he was the only four year senior this year. Darren and I started at UNM
in the same year, so I've gotten a chance to see his triumphs and his hiccups
along the way. Darren has constantly fought the perception about his size
and abilities, but the guy has heart and can ball! He and McKay never
really hit it off, as he was unfairly relegated to the bench
where we never got to see his talent. This year he has provided a
shooting spark of the bench, and on Tuesday he demonstrated the value of his
athleticism on the defensive end. Most importantly, he never quit on this
team, this school or this community. DP, Jamaal and J.R you will be
missed...but as they said, they still have business to take care of.
Lastly, the crowd was phenomenal on Tuesday - with the
exception of those who left before the post game ceremony for our seniors - and
really helped the team keep the peddle down. At one point midway through
the second half the Rebels cut the lead to 10 and the air seemed to leave the
building. After a well-timed timeout by Alford and a regularly scheduled
media timeout I was concerned that the air would stay out of the building after
the long stoppage. It didn't take long for that life to return, as the
Lobos pushed the lead back to 14 and never looked back. The
transformation we have seen on the floor this year has been so fun to watch,
but the renewal in the stands has been equally fun from my point of view.
Section 26 has become synonymous in the league and the ringing ears of years
past have finally returned. We have many fun games to look forward to in
the Pit, but not this year!
By the way, you can put all the Alford and Indiana
rumors to bed. In his post game comments he told the capacity crowd and
Lobos beat writer Mark Smith, "This coaching staff ain't going
anywhere!"
Senior night for the Lobos
Jr Giddens
Darren Prentice
Jamaal Smith
pictures by DHLoboF