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MBK: UNM Defeats CSU 85-52

Jan. 25, 2012
By Danny Mattie, CSU Athletic Media Relations

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The Colorado State men's basketball team suffered its second consecutive loss Wednesday night, falling at New Mexico, 85-52, in front of a crowd of 14,089 at The Pit.

The Lobos (16-4, 2-2 MW), who were selected as preseason favorites in the Mountain West, pulled even with the Rams (13-6, 2-2 MW) in the league standings, forcing CSU into a season-most 20  turnovers and using a 17-2 run midway through the second half to blow open the contest.

"We just turned the ball over too many times," said Miles.  "We just didn't have a steady flow of offense where we could get consistent stops."

The Rams turned the ball over five times alone during the five minute, 38-second stretch that comprised the Lobos' run.

"A season-low five assists, and a season-high 20 turnovers is just an easy example to show that we're trying to do too much with the dribble, so we turn it over," said Head Coach Tim Miles. "We don't share the ball, and we're just not a very good team right now."

The Rams showed signs of life right after intermission, cutting the Lobos' 18-point halftime lead to 13 points with five straight from junior forward Pierce Hornung to open the second stanza.  But the Lobos countered with six straight to push the lead back to 19, 53-34, with 16:27 left in the contest.     

Hornung, who earned his first start since returning mid-December from an early-season concussion, added a team-high seven rebounds in the contest.  Hornung finished one point off the pace of 11 set by junior guards Dorian Green and Wes Eikmeier, and senior forward Will Bell.  He also added four steals, tying a career-best mark.

UNM's Drew Gordon led all players with 13 points and 14 rebounds, finishing with his 11th double-double of the season.

"We just have fractured out, and we have to build ourselves back up," said Miles.  "That's what we'll get to at practice before the No. 12 team in the country, San Diego State, rolls into Moby.  We're going to get back to work and get better, and we're going to get better immediately."

The Rams and the No. 13/12 Aztecs tip off Saturday at 2 p.m. from Moby Arena.  The contest is the Rams' annual "White Out" game, as CSU athletics has partnered once again with RamStrength to raise cancer awareness.  The game will be televised live on NBC Sports Network.  

Tickets, including the new "Final 5" package, which includes CSU's last five home contests (San Diego State, Air Force, Wyoming, New Mexico and UNLV) for just $40, are available in person at the McGraw Athletic Center ticket office, by calling 800/491-RAMS, or online at CSURams.com.