Lobos block Cougars, settle MWC top seed

PROVO, Utah -- No. 10 New Mexico wrapped up the top seed in the Mountain West Conference Tournament and a share of the regular-season title by defeating fellow heavyweight Brigham Young on Saturday.

Perhaps just as important, the Lobos sent the No. 13 Cougars a message.

"It's a huge statement to beat a team like BYU at home with the record they have here," said Dairese Gary, who had 23 points in New Mexico's 83-81 victory. The Cougars had won 21 straight at home.

Darington Hobson, formerly of Las Vegas, added 20 points and 14 rebounds for the Lobos (27-3, 13-2), and his blocked shot with one second to play preserved their first victory at Provo since 2000.

"It's a big win for our city, the state and our program," Hobson said.

Michael Loyd Jr. (Palo Verde) scored all of his career-high 19 points in the second half for BYU (26-4, 11-3). He played in place of Jimmer Fredette, the MWC's leading scorer, who scored six points and played only 59 seconds in the second half because of a stomach problem.

Tyler Haws added 18 points for BYU.

The Cougars went to power forward Noah Hartsock to try to tie the game as the clock wound down. He had a mismatch against Gary, who went for the steal and missed, but Hobson came over to block Hartsock's shot in the paint.

"In our defense, we help. I just tried to make a play and keep it as clean as possible," Hobson said.

Gary tipped away an inbounds pass as time ran out.

"It was a great college game, a great atmosphere," BYU coach Dave Rose said. "Two great teams went down to the wire. We had our chances and they didn't go our way."

With the victory, the Lobos set MWC records for consecutive conference wins with 13 and consecutive road wins with seven. They also set a school record with 10 road wins this season.

New Mexico is 6-0 against ranked teams this season.

"Our guys have proven themselves all year on the road," Lobos coach Steve Alford said. "To win back-to-back championships in a conference like this is saying something, and to win 13 in a row is saying something."

Loyd Jr. made 8 of 9 shots after he replaced Fredette early in the second half.

"Jimmer lost his energy," Rose said.

Loyd made a transition layup and then dunked with 59 seconds left to tie the game at 80, but A.J. Hardeman grabbed the offensive rebound after a miss by Gary and scored with 42 seconds left to give New Mexico the lead.

■ Utah 74, Wyoming 64 -- At Salt Lake City, Luka Drca scored 10 of his 17 points in the final six minutes to help the Utes (14-14, 7-7) pull away from the Cowboys (9-19, 2-12). Desmar Jackson scored a career-high 31 points for Wyoming.

■ Texas Christian 73, Colorado State 67 -- At Fort Worth, Texas, Zvonko Buljan had 17 points and 11 rebounds, leading the Horned Frogs (13-16, 5-9) over the Rams (15-13, 6-8).