by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
UNM head basketball coach Steve Alford may have looked at it as just another practice, but there was little he could complain about after his team's 94-50 thrashing of Eastern New Mexico on Friday at The Pit.
The Lobos played well in all phases of the game, and Alford said he was happy with each player's performance.
"I thought our rebounding was good, and our shot selection was good," he said. "For the most part, I was pretty pleased with our defense. All in all, we had a pretty good night."
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UNM post Daniel Faris led the team with 15 points and added three rebounds in 15 minutes.
Faris had an efficient offensive game, scoring on 4-of-5 field goal attempts and going 7-of-10 from the free-throw line.
The Lobos spread the scoring around as six players scored in double figures, none of them playing more than 22 minutes.
Freshman guard Jonathan Wills had an impressive debut, scoring 11 points and chipping in two assists and two rebounds.
ENMU's Justin Redman-Trotter was the game's leading scorer with 19 points, but he was the lone Greyhound player to score in double digits.
The UNM defense frustrated ENMU most of the game, holding the Greyhounds to 26 percent shooting. The Lobos outrebounded them 56-31.
As well as the offense executed, Faris said he was impressed with the team defense, especially after halftime.
"Everyone was talking on defense - we had each other's back," he said. "If we just keep improving defensively every game, we have a chance to be in every game at
the end."
Wills said he had some butterflies heading into his first game in The Pit.
Once he scored his first points, he said he was able to settle in and get into of the flow of the game.
"Running down that tunnel . the nerves come up," he said. "After the first shot, it got my mind focused back, like, 'This is basketball. I've been playing since I was 4 or 5.'"
Dairese Gary was another Lobo freshman with a solid game, scoring 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting.
Alford said he was pleased the young players were able to get so involved in Friday's win.
"I thought it was really good, their first time in The Pit," he said. "I think they did a lot of good things. Every one of them had their moments where they did some very positive things. It's always good when you get a lopsided win, and everybody does their part and plays well."
Men's basketball at Colorado
Friday, 7 p.m.
Boulder, Colo.
