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Emmanuel Kuac tries to alter a shot for New Mexico during the Lobos’ 67-51 win over San Jose State on Thursday. The game was played at Dixie State University in St. George, Utah. The Lobos’ Valdir Manuel (22) looks on. (KC Knoop Photography)
Other than the score, one stat more than any others has been reflective of the New Mexico men’s basketball team’s success or failures this year: Points in the paint.
The Lobos (5-8 overall, 1-8 Mountain West) are 5-0 when scoring 40 or more points in the paint and 0-8 when scoring fewer in the paint.
They’ve also had the edge in points in the paint over their opponent in all five wins and lost or tied that category in all eight losses. In both Nevada losses, the Lobos tied in points in the paint scoring, but lost one game with a historically bad free throw shooting performance and the other after allowing nine second-half 3-pointers.
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Lobos senior guard Makuach Maluach goes up for a second half bucket in Thursday’s win over San Jose State in Burns Arena in St. George, Utah. (KC Knoop Photography)
Here are some extra notes, quotes, stats, videos, tweets or whatever else I could empty out of the old notebook after Thursday’s 67-51 Lobo win over the San Jose State Spartans in St. George, Utah:
Makuach leads the way
Lobo senior Makuach Maluach was the best player on the court on Thursday with a season-high 25 points to go along with six rebounds, three assists and a career-high four steals.