New Mexico Defeats USD in Final, 61-46

The University of New Mexico used a hot second half to beat the University of San Diego, 61-46, in the championship game of the New Mexico Tipoff Tournament in Albuquerque Sunday night.

The Lobos scored eight straight points in the second half to build a 38-24 lead and held off a late surge by the Toreros in front of 17,078 fans--the largest crowd that a USD basketball team has ever played before.

San Diego (1-1) shot 50% from the field in its 70-63 win over Cal State Long Beach in the opening round Friday night, but could only manage 37.7% (20 of 53) against New Mexico, which hit 44.8% (17 of 27).

Johnny Brown led all scorers with 20 points for New Mexico and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Senior guard Kiki Jackson led the Toreros with 10 points and teammate Mark Bostic was named to the all-tournament team after scoring 14 points with nine rebounds against Long Beach and eight points and three rebounds against New Mexico. Scott Thompson, USD’s 7-foot center, had nine rebounds and four blocks.

“New Mexico played good defense,” USD Coach Hank Egan said. “In the second half, we came apart. Things don’t go well all of the time so you just have to stay after it. We didn’t stay together as a team in the end.”

The Lobos also took advantage at the free throw line, making 17 of 27, while the Toreros went to the line only six times, making all of the attempts.

Long Beach beat Bucknell, 65-45, in the consolation game.

USD (46)--Bostic 8, Madden 4, Thompson 8, Leonard 4, Jackson 10, Means 2, Murphy 6, Knight 2, Krallman 2.

NEW MEXICO (61)--Brown 20, Winters 5, Brooks 9, Scarborough 14, Graves 6, Moore, 1, Loeffel 6.

Halftime--New Mexico, 30-24.