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Redshirt senior Tim Williams drives to the net during the Lobos game against Wyoming University Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017 at WisePies Arena. 

Redshirt senior Tim Williams drives to the net during the Lobos game against Wyoming University Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017 at WisePies Arena. 

Men's Basketball: Streaking Lobos seeks revenge against team trending the other way

Two weeks ago the Lobos were mired in the middle of a three-game losing stretch and on Tuesday, New Mexico will get a shot at redemption as it plays host to the team that started that streak.

The Utah State Aggies hosted the Lobos on Jan. 4 and handed them a 79-75 loss. UNM head coach Craig Neal and the team have moved on from that loss, but recognize the opponents are still a threat.

“I thought we played very well there the first time,” Neal said. “I like their team, they have a very really good player in (freshman) Koby McEwen, he is a really good point guard. They’ve changed their lineup a little bit. Jalen Moore could be a first-team all-league player.”

Moore is the Aggies’ leading scorer, averaging 17. points per game. McEwen follows with an average of almost 15. During the Jan. 4 game, Moore collected 20 points, while McEwen added 18.

They Lobos didn’t have a lot of players available in the first go-around, suffering through injuries and foul trouble.

Jordan Hunter missed the game due to an ankle injury and although Elijah Brown scored 17 points, he was only able to play 15 minutes as he was plagued by foul trouble. Brown is averaging over 18 points per game this season.

Xavier Adams suffered an ACL tear in the first half that night, which ended the rest of the season for the junior guard.

Tim Williams, who averages 18.1 points per game, led the Lobos with 30 points, but his efforts weren’t enough to prevail.

When asked what the key would be to take down Utah State this time around, Neal didn’t hesitate to answer.

“Downstairs,” he said with a smile, referring to the Bob King Court at WisePies Arena. “We are in our building.”

The Lobos had tough back-to-back home losses earlier in January when they fell 105-104 in overtime to Nevada, then three days later 71-66 to UNLV, also part of the three-game skid.

New Mexico bounced back by picking up two tough road wins, an 84-71 victory at Colorado State and followed with another big victory, an 81-70 triumph at Boise State.

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On Saturday, the Lobos regained control at WisePies Arena by taking down the Wyoming Cowboys 78-71.

While New Mexico (12-8, 5-3 Mountain West) is on a three-game winning streak, Utah State’s situation is the complete opposite.

Their three-game losing streak began on Jan. 11 when the Aggies lost 95-87 to Wyoming. Three days later it was a 74-55 loss to San Diego State.

Most recent was a 64-56 home loss to Colorado State. The losses dropped Utah State to an 8-10 overall record, and 2-5 in conference.

Neal said he is confident his team can get a better result than last time as long as everyone stays focused.

“I think we are more versatile, I think Elijah Brown won’t be in foul trouble,” the coach said. “We have a lot of confidence in a group that can make some plays. We have to continue play good basketball, winning basketball.”

Isabel Gonzalez is a sports reporter for the Daily Lobo. She mainly covers men’s soccer and basketball. She can be reached at sports
@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @cisabelg.

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