The New Mexico Lobos shot 53.4 percent from the floor and forced UMKC into 24 turnovers on Thursday night at The Pit, and took an 87-62 win. The ‘Roos shot 40 percent from the floor, but went 8-of-31 from three-point range in the contest.
The Kangaroos (7-7) grabbed a 7-6 lead in the first five minutes of the contest, but a 19-4 run over the next seven minutes gave a 25-11 advantage to the Lobos (10-2). The ‘Roos cut the lead down to eight on a couple occasions, but back-to-back three-pointers from UNM’s Phillip McDonald late in the half pushed it back to double-digits for good.
McDonald made it 11 consecutive points for UNM after a three with 50 seconds left, as the Lobos went into the break up 40-24. McDonald led all scorers with 13 at the break.
The ‘Roos hit only 34.5 percent in the half, with 13 turnovers. Trinity Hall and Kirk Korver led the attack with six points apiece.
The Lobos started the second period on a 14-6 run to put the game out of reach, making it 54-30 with 15:21 to play. Seven points from senior big man Drew Gordon during the rally was the difference. The Kangaroos would not get closer than 18 the rest of the way, with UNM pushing its lead to the biggest point with 2:10 to play at 28.
UMKC shot the ball much better in the final period at 45.5 percent, but so did the Lobos, hitting 63 percent.
Reggie Chamberlain finished with 12 points, while Nate Rogers tallied 11 to lead UMKC. Gordon and McDonald led four UNM players in double figures with 18 points each.
UMKC will head back into conference play next Wednesday when Oral Roberts comes to town. The contest, which will be on KSMO-TV, will be played at Swinney Recreation Center at 7:05 p.m.