Howling With The Lobos: Confidence Building Win

There’s a saying that if you believe in yourself you cannot be stopped. Keith McGee probably didn’t read those words before Tuesday night’s New Mexico-San Diego State contest, but the UNM guard definitely lived up to those words.

McGee scored a career high 19 points, and Anthony Mathis chipped in 17, all in the second half, as New Mexico surged past the Aztecs for a much needed 83-70 victory.

McGee scored 14 of his 19 points in the first half, and it was much needed. San Diego State played terrific defense on Anthony Mathis, holding him scoreless over the first 20 minutes, and McGee’s points helped the Lobos recover from a 33-22 hole and get it to a 37-36 deficit at halftime.

Mathis had a frustrating first half; aside from being held scoreless, Mathis was called for a technical foul with 6:24 left to go in the first half when he intentionally tripped Aztec forward Jalen McDaniels. Mathis responded from being benched for the incident by going for all 17 of his points in the second stanza, knocking down three three-point baskets during a 22-6 Lobo run in the second half to pull away.

McDaniels finished with 25 points for the Aztecs, who fell to 13-9 overall and 5-4 in Mountain West Conference Play. Devin Watson scored 13 points for San Diego State, who will play Utah State in San Diego on Saturday night.

For the Lobos, they move to 10-12 overall, 4-6 in the MWC. Up next for the Lobos will be the much anticipated rematch with Nevada in Reno this Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time. That game will be telecast on CBS Sports Network, and on the radio on the Lobo Radio Network.