What a difference a week makes.
After a humiliating loss a week ago at the hands of Air Force, the UNM men's basketball team rebounded with its own version of a blowout - a 70-54 dismantling of the Utah Utes.
"We had an intense week of practice after that Air Force beating," Danny Granger said. "Coach put it into our heads we have to get back on the right track and focus, so we can get back in the race for the championship."
The Lobos' preparation paid off immensely, as they defeated the No. 1 team in the Mountain West Conference.
In front of 15,678 fans at The Pit, UNM (10-6, 1-2) used back-to-back 19-9 runs to open up a 20-point halftime advantage.
After two Granger baseline jumpers, the Lobos knocked down five 3-balls, accounting for all their points in five possessions for a 19-9 lead.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
In the latter runs the Lobos got their points from the inside-outside presence of David Chiotti and Granger.
But deft shooting by UNM wasn't the key to victory. It was the stifling defense of UNM that ultimately won the game - a defense absent from the two conference losses.
"This whole week was just focused on defense," Chiotti said. "We had to get a toughness built in our minds that we had to come out and throw the first punch."
UNM, playing a pressure man-to-man defense, kept Utah (15-4, 3-1) from getting its shots. The Utes, fifth in the nation in 3-point accuracy at 41.7 percent, managed to hit only 22.7 percent (5-22) of their treys.
Utah finished the game with 54 points, its lowest output at The Pit in 12 years.
On the flip side, UNM scorched the nets from beyond the arc, hitting 7-15 in the first half, and 8-18 for the game.
Granger continued to lead UNM in the second half. After scoring UNM's first two buckets, two 16-foot baseline jumpers, Granger added a three in the first 19-9 run. With seconds running down in the half, Granger took his man off the dribble and buried a three to cap a 39-18 halftime advantage.
In the second half, Granger was much the same, an unstoppable presence. Using an array of inside moves and outside jumpers, he proved to be a mismatch for any Utah defender.
"I think Granger is a phenomenal talent," Utah coach Rick Majerus said. "I've said that before. I think he's a combination of (Clayton) Shields and Kenny Thomas. He's probably the best player that I've seen in my
(15 year) career at New Mexico."
Early in the second half, the Lobos built a 27-point advantage at 47-22, with 14:56 minutes remaining. But soon after, UNM went stale. Using a spread offensive set to waste clock, the plan backfired.
Led by Nick Jacobson's hot hand, Utah went on a 19-4 run, to close the deficit to 12, with 6:31 to play. But Utah could not get closer as the Lobos iced the game from the charity stripe.
Jacobson finished with 20 points on eight of 17 shooting. The Utes' big man, Andrew Bogut finished the game with 13 points and 17 rebounds.
Granger had 17 in the first half for UNM, finishing with a game-high 28 points. He also had six rebounds and four assists. DeVries added 14 points, while Chiotti contributed 13.
UNM plays host to Brigham Young University on ESPN's "Big Monday" tonight at The Pit. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. The game can be seen on ESPN or heard live on 770 KOB AM.
