by Phil Parker
Daily Lobo
In their last and toughest game of the preseason, the Lobos survived a second-half dry spell to pull out a 75-71 win over the EA Sports Southwest All-Stars.
After a sharp first half in which UNM and the All-Stars routinely traded baskets, the Lobos came out stale for the start of the second.
Forward Alfred Neale hit a free throw and a low turnaround in the first two minutes of the second period, and guard Mark Walters hit a 3-pointer to put UNM up 46-38.
Then the brick-fest began.
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Over the next 8:38 the Lobos failed to score a basket, and the All-Stars capitalized. A series of baskets by the All Stars gave them a 47- 46 advantage before the Lobos could snap out of their shooting slump.
With nine minutes left in the contest, guard Ryan Wall jump-started the Lobo offense with a floater at the top of the key that gave the lead back to the Lobos for good.
Then Walters, Neale and senior guard Javin Tindall took over. Though the All-Stars added some quick threes late in the contest, the score never got close again.
Tindall, who led the Lobos with 17 points, said that the temporary shooting slump was an important stretch for the team.
"That was good for us," Tindall said. "We've been up on teams so much that it was good for us to keep our composure there and get the job done."
Head coach Ritchie McKay also looked on the bright side.
"We didn't play anywhere near where we're capable," McKay said "But I don't mind that because one of those nights was bound to happen. I was pleased with how we overcame it."
Walters scored 16 and Neal and center David Chiotti each contributed 10 for the Lobos.
Regular-season play gets underway for the Lobos Saturday when they will face San Francisco State at The Pit.
Tipoff will be at 7 p.m.
