New Mexico Keeps Aztecs Frustrated

No one ripped off his jersey and stormed off of the court in the first half. And center Joe McNaull came back strong after being somewhere south of Mars when San Diego State played at New Mexico last week.

For a program desperate for positive words, there you go.

But . . .

New Mexico handed the Aztecs a 71-61 loss Saturday to keep them winless in Western Athletic play. The defeat came with forward Nelson Stewart (jersey ripper) serving a one-game suspension, and despite McNaull’s career-high 17 rebounds.

In front of 1,829, including a large Lobo cheering section, in the San Diego Sports Arena, SDSU (2-15, 0-5) lost its 10th consecutive game.

As for the crowd, the odd, 5 p.m. starting time--arranged for television--probably kept some folks away. It sure didn’t help the people who were supposed to sell programs. Apparently thinking it was a 7:30 game, neither they nor the programs arrived until halftime.

Maybe the programs shouldn’t have shown up at all. The cover boy? The suspended Stewart, who watched from the bench in street clothes.

As for the Aztecs, the school record for consecutive losses is 17, set in 1986-87. That’s the season in which SDSU got off to its worst start in school history--2-23.

“Number one, New Mexico is a pretty fair basketball team,” SDSU Coach Jim Brandenburg said. “Number two, this might sound strange, but our effort was up.”

But, as guard Ray Barefield said, “The effort was nice, but it’s all about W’s.”

The Aztecs did play hard against New Mexico (11-7, 5-1). They trailed by as many as 14 in the first half and 20 in the second before making the final score at least look respectable.

“If you take an analytical look at the game, we were closer tonight than we have been in some time,” Brandenburg said.

Though closer in some aspects, the Aztecs were no closer to the basket. Poor shooting and another scoreless spree did them in again. In five WAC games, they have yet to shoot 40% from the floor. Against New Mexico, they shot only 38%, and what really hurt was that they only managed one field goal during the first 7:38 of the second half.

“One of the real keys is that we didn’t shoot the ball well enough,” Brandenburg said. “Thirty-eight percent. You would think a good, competitive Division I team is going to shoot 53% or 54% at home.”

Well, yes.

“That’s what I’m used to,” Brandenburg continued. “We just didn’t shoot the ball well enough.”

McNaull, in addition to a bucketful of rebounds, had 22 points. It was quite a change from Jan. 16, when he had only one point and two rebounds at New Mexico.

“I just felt I had something to prove to everybody who saw or heard that game,” McNaull said. “I went out and played hard and did the things I needed to do.”

Tony Clark (11 points) was the only other Aztec in double figures. Willie Banks had 18 for New Mexico, Steve Logan had 12 and Khari Jaxon had 11.

One of the big problems for SDSU Saturday, as well as most of the season, was that not enough Aztecs were able to finish plays.

“A lot of guys can make plays,” Brandenburg said. “Very few can finish them.

“Am I upset that we didn’t win? Hell, yes. Do I see some bright spots with some guys? Damn sure do. Do I see this team improving and being competitive with New Mexico in the WAC tournament? Darn right I do.”

Of course, there is one little hitch. Starting this season, the WAC’s ninth-place team doesn’t qualify for the conference tournament.

Which means those two SDSU-Air Force games in February are going to be dogfights.