Joe Furstinger scored a team-high 22 points, including a perfect 10 of 10 from the free throw line, as the University of New Mexico Lobos dismantled the Colorado State Rams 108 to 87 in Fort Collins on Wednesday night.
In what could be described as the most balanced team effort of the season, seven different Lobos scored in double figures against the Rams, led by senior guard Sam Logwood’s 15 points off the bench.
Prentiss Nixon led the Rams with a game-high 27 points on eight of 18 shooting from the floor, and fellow guard Raquan Mitchell added 21 points, but it was not enough to keep pace with the high-octane New Mexico offense.
The Lobos led the game from the opening tip, with Chris McNeal hitting a three-point basket on the opening position for New Mexico. It was a fitting start to the game for a team that set a new school record for three-point baskets in 2017-18. The Lobos have made 335 triples this season, surpassing the old school record of 301.
After a hot shooting first half in which the Lobos entered the break shooting 71.4% from the floor, UNM finished with an impressive 61% field goal percentage, while making 83% of their free throw attempts. The Lobos enjoyed a plus-10 advantage in rebounds and a plus-12 in points off turnovers.
Although the Rams shot a respectable 50% from the floor, they struggled as a team with free throws, making just 69% of their attempts from the charity stripe.
The win over Colorado State secured a top-five finish in the Mountain West Conference regular-season standings and a first-round bye in the conference tournament in Vegas. Wednesday’s 108 point performance against the Rams marks the first time in school history that the Lobos scored over 100 points in consecutive road games.
The Lobos close out the regular season with a home game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at DreamStyle Arena on Saturday night.
