LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Dairese Gary played like a beast, but the Lobos came up short in the opening round of the Mountain West Conference Tournament on Thursday.
In a 75-67 loss to Wyoming, sophomore Gary kept the UNM men's basketball team in the game compliments of a late surge.
After surrendering a six-point lead in the second half, Gary almost lead the Lobos back, scoring seven of his 20 points in the last 1:50 of the game.
"I think he's our toughness," Roman Martinez said.
Gary, who doubled as a running back and safety in his senior season of high school, drove the lane against Pokes big men Adam Waddell and Tyson Johnson.
"He's just fierce, fierce competitor," said assistant coach Craig Neal, who helmed the post-game news conference for head coach Steve Alford. "He loves to win; competitors love to win. You know, you can't ask anymore from him. He gave us everything he had tonight."
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But it wasn't enough.
Gary was consistently hammered every time he drove the lane and was often sent sprawling to the hardwood.
But Gary assaulted the paint and finished with 10 of the last 15 Lobo points.
His finished with 20 points, tying his career-high.
Eight of Gary's points came from the free throw line.
"He is a physical player, and he'll continue to be," Neal said. "He's going to be very, very good player in this conference. He already is. So I mean, he's got two more years left, and we're excited he's going to be around for two more years."
Gary was the only Lobo to start every game in 2008-09 season, which is remarkable considered his lack of consideration for his body. He said he always seems to be in harm's way.
"Coach talked about before the game, " Gary said. "At pregame and stuff, it was going to be a physical game. That is what we are made. We are a physical team. So I guess they wanted to be physical, and they were a little bit more physical than us."
