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An Alex Kirk block and two Cleveland Thomas free throws helped secure the New Mexico men’s first road win in Mountain West play, a 72-69 overtime victory at Wyoming in Laramie, Wyo.
The Lobos (11-3, 2-0 MW) held a 70-69 lead with 14 seconds left when Kirk, UNM’s junior center, blocked a layup attempt by Wyoming’s Riley Grabau. The guard Thomas pulled down the rebound and then was fouled, sinking both shots from the line.
Grabau, on the next possession, missed a 3-point shot attempt with three seconds left that would have tied the game.
After both teams played to a 64-all tie in regulation, the Lobos outscored the Cowboys 8-5 in an overtime period kickstarted by a Thomas 3-pointer. He finished with 12 points, seven in OT, after coming off the bench.
In all, four Lobos reached double figures. Forward Cameron Bairstow paced UNM with 18 points, finishing with the team lead for the eighth time this season. Kirk added 12 points and guard Kendall Williams netted 10.
Grabau capped the game with 24 points for Wyoming (9-6, 0-2 MW), including 12 off 3-pointers. Nathan Sobey had 16 and Josh Adams scored 12.
UNM carried a 33-31 lead at halftime before Wyoming outscored the Lobos by the same margin in the latter 20 minutes, forcing overtime. The Lobos have a 10-0 record this season when holding a first-half advantage.
New Mexico hit 27 of 62 from the field (43.5 percent), 7 of 18 from 3-point range (38.9 percent) and 11 of 19 from the foul line (57.9 percent). Wyoming 24 of 49 on field goals (49 percent), 6 of 15 on 3-pointers (40 percent) and 15 of 21 on foul shots (71.4 percent).
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