The UNM men's basketball team was a hair's breadth of coming away from Wyoming with an upset victory on Saturday.
The Lobos played their best game of the season in challenging the University of Wyoming down to the final moments. However, a 10-point lead with under four minutes to play was not safe as the Cowboys stormed back to tie the game 71-71 on a Donta Richardson three-pointer with 2.3 seconds remaining in regulation.
UNM was led by senior scoring machine Ruben Douglas who poured in 34 points. Though Douglas kept the Lobos in the game throughout, it was his missed free throw with less than 13 seconds left that gave the Cowboys a chance to tie the game.
In the beginning stages of the game, it looked like it was going to be a long one for the Lobo faithful as UW opened up with a 18-5 lead. From that point on, UNM played with confidence and intensity in securing a 37-32 halftime lead.
In the second half, the Lobos continued to play well as they held onto their lead until the final seconds.
UNM was successful in large part because of the strong play from sophomore forward Jamaal Williams, who scored 21 points off the bench. He was eight for 15 from the field and made five-of-seven from the free throw line.
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Javin Tindall was the only other Lobo in double figures, scoring 10 points, including two 3-pointers.
In overtime, UNM tried desperately to stay in the game but ultimately ran out of steam. The Cowboys scored the first four points of the extra session and Douglas responded with a three from the wing to cut the lead to 75-74. After UW scored again, Douglas came back with an acrobatic bank shot in the lane as he was fouled. He hit the free throw and tied the game up at 79 with less than two minutes to go.
That would be the last chance for the hard luck Lobos as they turned the ball over on their next two possessions while Richardson scored six straight points.
In the end, UNM walked away with an 85-81 loss and its 12th straight road defeat. The Lobos dropped to 5-8 and in the 0-2 in the MWC while Wyoming improved to 13-3 and 1-0 in MWC play.
Next up for UNM is Western New Mexico at The Pit on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Tip off is set for 7 p.m.
