Lobos halt BYU’s winning streak at 15
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Dairese Gary scored a career-high 25 points, including nine in the final 1:30, and No. 23 New Mexico beat No. 12 Brigham Young 76-72 on Wednesday to snap the Cougars' 15-game winning streak.
Roman Martinez scored 12 points and reserve Curtis Dennis 11 as the Lobos (19-3, 5-2 Mountain West) won their fifth straight and beat a ranked opponent for the fourth time this season.
It was only the second time the Lobos and Cougars had been ranked when facing each other. On Feb. 17, 1973, No. 18 New Mexico beat No. 20 BYU 76-66 in Provo, Utah.
The Lobos have defeated every top-25 team they've faced this season, adding BYU (20-2, 5-1) to a list that includes California, Texas A&M and Texas Tech.
Gary finished 6 of 10 from the field and made 12 of 17 free throws in an entertaining matchup against BYU's Jimmer Fredette, who had 27 points.
Fredette, the league's leading scorer at 20.2 points per game, has battled mononucleosis the past several weeks, but New Mexico's defense did more to slow him than his illness. He shot 8 of 21 from the field but made all seven of his free throws and had seven assists.
Former Bishop Gorman High School standout Jonathan Tavernari had 17 points for the Cougars.
• Colorado State 63, Texas Christian 57 -- At Fort Collins, Colo., Travis Busch made four free throws in the final 26 seconds, and Greg Smith scored a career-high 15 points as the Rams snapped a three-game losing streak by beating the Horned Frogs (10-11, 2-4).
Andy Ogide added 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Rams (12-8, 3-3 Mountain West).
• Wyoming 75, Utah 69 -- At Laramie, Wyo., Desmar Jackson scored 21 points as the Cowboys (9-11, 2-4) beat the Utes.
Carlon Brown came off the bench to score a career-high 31 for Utah (3-3, 10-10).
