Lobo Insider: UNM shows up-tempo game

Posted at: 11/03/2009 11:02 PM | Updated at: 11/03/2009 11:11 PM
By: Lee Faria; Eyewitness Sports; Matthew Kappus, KOB.com

If you can't run, you can't play for the Lobos. New Mexico put their track shoes on and ran Highland back to Las Vegas Tuesday night.

With the help of a 13-0 run at the beginning of the second half, the Lobos beat New Mexico Highlands at the Pit 98-68.

Because of the Lobos' lack of size, they have to play up-tempo. That is just fine for a player like Phillip McDonald.

He got the jam after a block and pass from AJ Hardeman. Later on, Hardeman snagged a rebound and threw an outlet pass all the way to McDonald who made Highland pay with a three-point shot plus the foul.

Darrington Hobson says getting McDonald to believe in his own talent is the challenge right now.

“Phillip is going to be a great player. I tell him every day in practice, ‘Just have confidence,” Hobson said.

McDonald finished with 14 points and was five for five from the free throw line. The Lobos out-rebounded Highland and had 19 assists.

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