It was pretty much like any other game played at The Pit in the last four years.
Like so many times before, it was point guard Dairese Gary’s pass-first mentality that led to the Lobos’ first points — this time in the UNM men’s basketball team’s 66-61 victory over Air Force.
It was the season finale, and lone senior Gary closed his four-year UNM career by leading Lobo scorers with 17 points.
Having watched former Lobo Roman Martinez go through it last year, Gary said his Senior Night was still overwhelming. He said he spoke to Martinez by phone Friday night.
“He told me to live all this up,” Gary said. “He said, ‘You get one Senior Night, and it’s your last game in The Pit.’ He made some jokes about me speaking afterwards. He spooked me a little bit, but it was all laughs. He just told me to get the win.”
Get the win is exactly what the Gary-led Lobos did, and in doing so, the Lobos’ undisputed leader this season leaves a UNM legacy.
In four years, Gary averaged 24 wins a season, and the Lobos earned two NIT appearances and a trip to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
And with Saturday’s win, Gary set himself up to eclipse Kenny Thomas’ 96 career wins, the most victories by a scholarship player. One win in the Mountain West Conference tournament will give Gary the record.
“It has been great to see what he’s done,” head coach Steve Alford said. “Four years ago, we were in last place in the conference. He gets here, and he finishes third, first, first and fifth. He’s been in postseason play all four years. The things he’s done for us from locker room talks to practice— our guys are really going to miss him. He’s laid a blueprint for what we want this program to be about.”
The MWC’s all-time assist leader (552), Gary is fifth all-time in the UNM record book as of Saturday. His 128th consecutive start is the nation’s longest streak and second only to former UNM guard Rob Robbins’ 133 starts.
Jamal Fenton, who will likely replace Gary at the point position next season, finished with 11 points and two assists, but he said it was Gary’s night.
“We didn’t have to get amped up for this,” he said. “It was just his Senior Night, and he is a big leader for us, and we were ready for it. We just wanted to play hard for him and just play hard for his last time in The Pit.”
With the MWC tournament starting Thursday, Gary is poised to lead UNM to back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances. He said he couldn’t have asked for a better ending at home.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
“You know, you have to get a win on your Senior Night,” he said. “Air Force was up at the half. It was stressful, but at the same time, my teammates were in it, and we came out with the win. Afterwards, it was an amazing feeling.”
