Darington Hobson had 23 points and 12 rebounds, helping No. 19 New
Mexico to a 90-75 victory over No. 20 Texas Tech on Tuesday night.
Hobson, one of five Lobos to score in double figures, also
had four assists as New Mexico (13-1) rebounded from its first loss
of the season last week.
"With a young team, I really don't understand the things that
they're doing because they've never done it before," New Mexico
coach Steve Alford said.
The Lobos led 34-19 in the first half only to see the Red
Raiders (10-2) close within 42-36 early in the second half. But an
11-2 run over a 3-minute span put the Lobos up 53-38 and the lead
never dropped into single digits again.
New Mexicos normally accurate 3-point shooting was absent as
it was just 4 of 17 from behind the arc. But the Lobos held Texas
Tech to 41 percent shooting for the game.
"That was probably our best defensive effort in a long time,"
Alford said.
Reserve David Tairu led Texas Tech with 18 points.
Curtis Dennis had a career-high 14 points for the Lobos, who
won the rebounding battle, 46-35, including a 17-13 edge on the
offensive glass. They had 12 turnovers to eight for Texas Tech and
New Mexico had 10 steals to three for the Red Raiders.
"When you score 70-some points, that?s enough to win," Red
Raiders coach Pat Knight said. "When teams get beat, you've got to
look at the defense. You can't give up 90 points and expect to
win."
