Donovan Dent converted a three-point play with 3.2 seconds left to give New Mexico a 68-66 victory over No. 22 Colorado State on Wednesday night in Albuquerque, N.M.
After the Rams called a timeout following the lead change, Nique Clifford’s 3-point attempt at the buzzer was off the mark.
New Mexico (21-6, 9-5 Mountain West) has defeated three ranked teams in The Pit at Albuquerque in the same season for the first time in program history. The Lobos topped then-No. 19 San Diego State on Jan. 13 and beat then-No. 16 Utah State three days later.
Colorado State (20-7, 8-6) lost its first game after returning to the AP Top 25 this week. The Rams had won five of their previous six contests.
Dent and Jamal Mashburn Jr. led New Mexico with 16 points apiece. Nelly Junior Joseph achieved his sixth double-double of the season with 13 points and 12 rebounds, and Jaelen House finished with 14 points for the Lobos.
Isaiah Stevens led Colorado State with 20 points while shooting 8 of 12 from the field. He also had nine assists. Joel Scott finished with 18 points and 13 rebounds, and Patrick Cartier added 11 points.
Scott sank two free throws with 1:56 remaining to cut New Mexico’s lead to 59-57.
After a turnover on the inbounds pass by the Lobos, Cartier made a layup to tie the score with 1:17 left.
Mashburn hit a driving layup with 55 seconds remaining to put New Mexico ahead 61-59.
Cartier answered 12 seconds later with a 3-pointer to give the Rams a 62-61 lead.
Mashburn went to the free-throw line after getting fouled by Jalen Lake with 31 seconds to go and made both to allow New Mexico to retake the lead.
Cartier responded with a layup with 19 seconds to play before House made a jumper with 10 seconds left, giving New Mexico a 65-64 lead.
Stevens was then fouled by House with seven seconds left. He made both free throws to put the Rams ahead 66-65.
Dent then converted his winning shot and subsequent free throw.
New Mexico built a 43-34 lead with 13:22 left after an 11-2 run.
House made a 3-pointer with 7:21 remaining to increase the Lobos’ lead to 53-43.
Colorado State outscored New Mexico 10-2 to cut the deficit to 55-53 with 3:16 to go.
–Field Level Media
