Cameron Bairstow made a layup with 1:24 left to give his team a lead, and the No. 19 New Mexico Lobos hit their free throws to narrowly beat the Fresno State Bulldogs, 54-48, on Wednesday.
No. 19 New Mexico vs. Fresno State final score: Lobos hold on for 54-48 win
In relation to conference standings, New Mexico-Fresno State almost fell the way of Kansas-TCU. Almost.
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
New Mexico, which lost in its last outing, 64-55, to the UNLV Runnin' Rebels, has not lost consecutive games all season. But that fate was nearly reversed Wednesday against one of the worst teams in the Mountain West.
Fresno State, which began play today tied for last in the conference standings at 2-7 and as the only team in the league with an overall record under .500, played into New Mexico's game plan of keeping possessions low and valuable. Neither team shot particularly well — both were under 40 percent from the floor — and no player had more than 11 points (that honor went to Fresno State's Kevin Olekaibe).
New Mexico plays the Boise State Broncos at home on Saturday before a mid-week idle week to prepare for a crucial road game against the No. 24 Colorado State Rams on Feb. 23.
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