For a half New Mexico resolved its recent shooting difficulties, but second-half struggles against the press caused some at WisePies Arena to hold their breath.
The Lobos completed nearly 60 percent through the first 20 minutes in a 91-75 victory over Oral Roberts Tuesday night, bolstered with successful 3-pointers in transition. It was arguably the best half of basketball for UNM so far this season.
Yet the Golden Eagles switched to a man press defense in the second half that befuddled UNM. On three different inbound plays – including two consecutive – Oral Roberts gathered turnovers in the backcourt for buckets. That resulted in a 24-5 run that let them hang around.
UNM head coach Craig Neal used a coaching cliché to describe the game, calling it a tale of two halves. Though the Lobos (5-1) found its shooting stroke in the first half, they have yet to put together a complete game though the first six.
“I think there's going to be ups and downs in their plays, but I know they're fun to watch,” he said. “They keep me on edge, but they’re fun to watch and they play hard and they try to do the right things all the time.”
Guards Cullen Neal and Elijah Brown sparked the Lobo offense early, rushing out to 19 and 14 first-half points, respectively. Neal made three 3-pointers in an 7 of 11 effort by halftime. Brown sank four of his five shots from the arc.
Several came in the transition game with two backcourt mates feeding one another. Neal had four first-half assists with Brown adding four.
UNM’s defense also clamped down against an Oral Roberts team (6-2) who had scored 100-plus points in the last two games, holding a 52-27 advantage at the break. Midway through the half, UNM rattled off an 18-4 run.
“A lot of fun. I think that describes it,” said Cullen Neal, who finished with a career-high 29 points. “We just played how we wanted to play: fast. We were able to get open shots and find each other. That's exactly what we wanted to do.”
When the Golden Eagle press came in the second half, UNM’s 63-38 margin shrank to nine points.
Guard Tim Jacobs, a role player off the bench, and center Obij Aget, a starter who found himself in foul trouble, then entered the game and provided a spark for the Lobos. It brought a different energy to the floor and UNM boosted its lead back to 79-63 with 5:16 remaining.
Oral Roberts continued its press defense to the final buzzer, lowering UNM’s shooting percentage to 39.4 percent in the second half. The Lobos finished at just under 50 percent for the game (33 of 67).
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“Once we got up 25, the guys just thought they were going to just play it out and not press you and try not to get back into it,” Craig Neal said. “They weren't ready for it, but we'll work on it and get better. We work on it every day.”
UNM did complete a 50-percent 3-point shooting effort, but that largely came off Brown’s and Cullen Neal’s first half efforts. Along with a triple from Sam Logwood, the Lobos made 8 of 11 in the opening half. Only two more treys dropped in the second half on nine tries.
Forward Tim Williams had 23-point, 12-rebound night, a performance somewhat lost among the transition offense and woes against the press. He completed his third straight double-double.
“The guards were looking for me, and Coach Neal emphasized playing inside-out today,” Williams said. “They were looking for me and they were able to get open shots and I was able to get going as well.”
Brown also posted 15 points.
Guard Obi Emegano paced Oral Roberts with 25 points. Forward Brandon Conley added 16, and Jalen Bradley netted 15. The Golden Eagles were 40.3 percent on field goals (27 of 67), and held a slight 38-37 rebounding advantage.
The Lobos head back on the road Saturday to Purdue. Game time is 12:15 p.m.
J.R. Oppenheim is the managing editor for the Daily Lobo. Contact him at managingeditor@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @JROppenheim.
