It wasn't playing football at Concord High School in Indiana that made Dairese Gary tough on the basketball court - it was in his blood. "It was my family," Gary said. "My two older brothers and my dad - just going at them every day on the court. They beat me up at home, and I think it was them that gave me my toughness.
It's been nearly a month since I've written a column. And I will now take the time to go on an Isaac-is-burning-like-Jim-Rome rant. In particular, I couldn't believe the comments and circumstances that have arisen for two athletes, both of them from New York.
No hugs - let alone handshakes - were shared after the UNM men's basketball team's 60-58 win over Southern Mississippi on Saturday at The Pit. And for that reason, there were almost some hand pounds - of another sort. "I was fired up," head coach Steve Alford said.
What have I learned since the beginning of the holiday season? Well, first off, never tuck a gun into your sweatpants, especially if it is registered in one state and you're carrying it loaded in another state and walking down steps in a nightclub. It just doesn't work out.
Because she's a local talent, Valerie Kast brings the entire Pit to its feet every time she scores for the UNM women's basketball team. Until Thursday, those moments had been scarce, as the junior from Gallup averaged only nine minutes and 3.7 points per game in the Lobos' first seven contests.
Some teams exemplify the lion-lamb paradox - a ferocious, competitive beast cloaked in a sheepish, genteel veil. NMSU is not one of those teams. And on Thursday at The Pit, the UNM women's basketball team sheared the Aggies' lambish coats and turned them into pillows on the way to an 80-48 thrashing.
Staff and wire reports CANCUN, Mexico - There was no consolation for UNM, even in a consolation game. After losing to Virginia Commonwealth on Saturday, the Lobos dropped a 68-62 decision to Drake in the consolation round of the Cancun Challenge on Sunday, leaving them 3-4 on the season.
The UNM volleyball team didn't get the fairy-tale ending it was hoping for. But 2008 was a Cinderella season for the ladies in cherry and silver. After picking up their 22nd victory on Saturday against Virginia Commonwealth with a 25-12, 25-18, 25-14 sweep, the Lobos could do little except sit back and cross their fingers Sunday.
Who says global warming is just a theory? What else can explain how the UNM women's basketball team shot a frigid 20 percent from the field in the first half, then suddenly warmed up to shoot 56 percent in the second half against Nebraska? As head coach Don Flanagan said, it was a tale of two halves, with the Lobos heating up enough to beat out the Cornhuskers 62-51 in the final of the Midtown Tournament on Saturday.
Staff Report The UNM women's cross country team closed its season at the NCAA Championship on Tuesday in Terre Haute, Ind. Nicky Archer placed 56th with a season-best time of 20:53. UNM finished in 18th place. Washington captured the title with a score of 79 points.
If the UNM women's basketball team wants its head coach to develop an anxiety disorder, the Lobos will continue to squeeze out wins. The Lobos pulled out an 84-70 victory overUtah Valley on Wednesday at The Pit, but, head coach Don Flanagan said he was sweating bullets on the bench while the Lobos were engaged in a battle that teetered back and forth.
Junior forward Roman Martinez hopes to keep a hot hand in Mexico when the Lobos head down south to compete in the Cancun Challenge over Thanksgiving break. "We are excited," he said. "We are ready to go down and play. It is not going to be easy. (But) it won't be hard to get motivated to play some good ball in Cancun with our coaching staff.
The 11-6-2 UNM men's soccer team failed to live up to its past glory, finishing the season with its worst record since 2003. "You always look at yourself first," head coach Jeremy Fishbein said. "I wish I would have done some things different." Entering the season, the Lobos were ranked No.
Daniel Faris didn't check into Heartbreak Hotel after the UNM men's basketball team's 72-71 defeat at the hands of UCF on Saturday at The Pit. But he did consider drowning his sorrows in syrup - at Waffle House. "I might go," he said. "Or I might just go to sleep.
Spike after spike, bruise after bruise, it's Gayle Tripp's job to dive in front of volleyballs hit at up to 65 mph. "You have to be fearless - no reservations and balls to the wall," Tripp said. "I sacrifice my body, my face and my arms to step in the middle of the court and find a way to pop the ball up.
Down 6 with 50 seconds left in game, the University of Central Florida's Golden Knights seemed finished. The UNM men's basketball team was about to hand the Golden Knights another chink in their armor with a second loss - but the Lobos couldn't hold on to the lead Saturday night, dropping the game 72-71.
Chances are, when UNM's star guard has more fouls than points, the Lobos lose, right? That wasn't the case on Thursday night. UNM coasted over Grambling State 96-50 at The Pit. Despite scoring just 3 points - and committing four fouls - Tony Danridge dished out a career-high eight assists.
Phillip McDonald may not have the size, stature or star power of J.R. Giddens, but the freshman shooting guard is doing his part to help fill Giddens' shoes. McDonald helped the UNM men's basketball team rout the Grambling State Tigers on Thursday at The Pit with his 15-point, 10-rebound performance.
The UNM women's basketball team collected win No. 200 at The Pit against the Idaho State Bengals on Sunday. UNM entered Sunday's matchup with a combined record of 29-11 against teams from the Big Sky Conference. And thanks to a 77-43 whitewash over Idaho State, the Lobos improved to 30-11.
Solutions by The State News
