The Pit is back. At least for one night, the stadium that has brought fear into the hearts of so many opposing teams over the years proved that it is still a force to be reckoned with.
From the opening tip off of Saturday's game featuring the Lobos and San Diego State University, the fans played an intricate role in propelling UNM to its first conference victory of the season.
The Lobos quickly shot off to an 8-2 run to start the game and the crowd began to rumble in what was just a precursor of things to come.
Even newcomer big man Danny Granger, who joined the team from Bradley University on Friday amidst swirling controversy, got up out of his seat to cheer on his new teammates.
Head coach Ritchie McKay talked of the importance the home-court played.
"Our fans are big time," McKay said. "I asked Danny Granger if it was louder than Carver Arena and he said, 'Coach, oh my goodness.'"
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
The game marked a 180-degree change in atmosphere from Wednesday's Western New Mexico match up in which UNM won by 58 points. In that contest, the Lobo faithful sounded more like a retirement home on bingo night than a forum for rowdy college students.
In what was labeled as a must win game from the media, The Pit crowd responded, carrying the team through all the most crucial moments.
When sophomore forward Jamaal Williams was called for a questionable travelling violation mid-way through the first half, McKay stomped his way up and down the sideline. The fans quickly backed McKay up, showering the officials with a series of boos, letting them know that they would not get away with anything on this night.
The Lobo players did not let the crowd down, coming up with one big play after another. Junior guard Javin Tindall had the best game for UNM, shooting six of seven from the field including five-for-six from beyond the 3-point line.
Tindall, a junior college transfer who often played in front of small crowds while at JC, looked right at home in front of the rowdy fans.
"It's always a good feeling to have the home crowd behind you," Tindall said. "They did a good job at the end and we pulled it out for them. That is what The Pit is all about, that's what I heard and now I'm experiencing it."
Saturday's game was eerily similar to other games the Lobos have lost this year where they blew big leads in the second half, the most recent coming last weekend against Wyoming. Saturday, however, UNM seemed to have a new sense of confidence in the belief that it would do whatever was necessary to get the win. At one point late in the second half, with the lead quickly disappearing, the Lobos called a timeout and McKay scowled at the student section as if to say, "come on, we can do this." And that's exactly what they did.
Senior guard Ruben Douglas had an off night from the field shooting four-for-17 but he made up for that making all 10 of his free throw attempts. Douglas recognized the importance that the sixth man played in the game.
"It was reminiscent of the past," he said. "It got loud when we needed it to get loud, it was an intimidating factor. I think the fans played a key role at the end when San Diego State turned the ball over on the baseline. It was so loud, I think they were confused."
If UNM is to have any chance at making a run at the Mountain West Conference, it will need a similar performance from both the players and the fans. Douglas talked about how the crowd needs to step it up even more for Monday night's match up with UNLV.
"They have to come louder than they did tonight," he said. "They were loud tonight, but they have to come even louder. Whatever they have to do before the game, eat hot wings at Hooter's or whatever, they need to be ready."
