New Mexico takes lead to locker room

New Mexico led by as many as 12 points in the first half, but Brandon Ewing got hot for Wyoming and cut the Lobos lead to 33-29 at the break in the fourth and final quarterfinal at the Mountain West Conference tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Ewing has a game-high 11 points at the break after hitting three long 3-pointers. As a team, the Cowboys have made 5 of 9 from beyond the arc.
Daniel Faris had 10 points for New Mexico, but played just 10 mintues after picking up his fourth foul. Tony Dandridge was also held to just 10 minutes due to foul trouble.

Key Play

Roman Martinez converted a 4-point play for New Mexico to end a Wyoming rally.
After falling behind by as much as 12 points, the Cowboys had cut the Lobo lead to just five when Martinez was fouled by Djibril Thiam while shooting a 3-pointer.
The whistle blew to indicate a foul as the ball rattled around and the rim and bounced off the backboard and through the net.
The ensuing free throw extended the lead back to nine points and it was needed as Brandon Ewing made back-to-back 3-pointers on Wyoming’s next two possessions.

Don’t quit your day job

Utah coach Jim Boylen is not likely to be headlining at a comedy club near you.
During his postgame press conference, he was asked about the game-winning shot that Lawrence Borha hit to defeat Texas Christian.
The reporter stated that Borha had come up empty on several shot attempts at key moments in games since he came to Utah.
He asked what was different about today’s game.
Boylen’s answer was simply, “Fear.”
He looked around and just waited for the laughs. Nobody even smiled.
“That was a joke, by the way,” Boylen said.
He forgot one key element. Jokes are supposed to be funny.
Luckily for Boylen, he’s pretty good at this coaching thing.

Good Travelers

Wyoming and New Mexico have two of the largest contingents of any school at this tournament.
It is loud no matter who scores a basket in this game.
It really is what a true neutral-court game is all about.