Despite two double-doubles from forward Tim Williams and center Obij Aget, New Mexico could not overcome a 21-point deficit in Saturday’s 90-82 loss at Southern California.
Williams led the Lobos (3-1) in scoring for the second straight game, netting 25 points. He also pulled down 15 rebounds, the most since Alex Kirk had 16 in 2013. Aget finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
USC (3-0) led for much of the game, including holding a 54-33 advantage with under 18 minutes to play. The Lobos cut the margin to five points twice down the stretch, but got no closer.
“I thought we played 10 really good minutes of basketball, but we just didn’t shoot very well,” UNM head coach Craig Neal said in a statement. “They made some shots, and I think (USC’s Bennie) Boatwright helped them get some scoring opportunities. Elijah Stewart hit some big shots early.”
Boatwright, a forward, and Stewart, a guard, were two of four USC players to reach double-digit scoring with 15 points and 18 points, respectively. Guard Jordan McLaughlin paced the Trojans with 19 points, while guard Julian Jacobs added 15.
Guards Cullen Neal and Elijah Brown joined Williams and Aget in double figures. Brown finished with 18 points, followed by Cullen Neal with 12. Most of their output came from beyond the 3-point line: Brown hit four shots from long range, while Cullen Neal sank three.
UNM shot under 40 percent from the field for the first time this regular season, making 31 of its 80 shots. USC, meanwhile, shot 29 of 57. The Trojans had 21 assists as well.
Although USC shot better, UNM won the battle down low. The Lobos outscored the Trojans 32-28 in the paint and 20-13 on second change points. UNM also pulled down with 47 rebounds to USC’s 39.
The Lobos return to WisePies Arena Wednesday to host Nicholls State at 7 p.m.
J.R. Oppenheim is the managing editor for the Daily Lobo. Contact him at managingeditor@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @JROppenheim.
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