Second-Half Run Sparks New Mexico Past Idaho State

 
POCATELLO, Idaho- The effort was valiant and the fight was there but New Mexico used a strong second half to beat the Idaho State men's basketball team 81-70 in front of a crowd of 11,293 at WisePies Arena.

Idaho State led for a majority of the first half and by as many as 10 points to lead 38-32 at the break. ISU maintained its lead in the second period for the first six minutes before New Mexico went on a run to take the lead for good.

Ethan Telfair led the Bengal attack with a triple double, scoring 25 points and grabbing a career-high 12 rebounds and 10 assists and tying his career-high in steals with six.

He is a good player and very competitive," Idaho State coach Bill Evans said.

Robert Jones III had 13 points and Novak Topalovic had a career-high 12 points and tied his career-high in rebounds with nine.

Idaho State shot 47.4 percent for the game and had 10 steals. The Bengals were out rebounded 39-29, turned the ball over 20 times and went to the free throw line only 11 times, making seven.

New Mexico shot 33 percent in the first half but 62 percent in the final 20 minutes. The Lobos had 39 rebounds, turned the ball over 18 times and went to the free throw line 33 times, making 22.

"I don't think we maintained our composure very well," Telfair said. "I was disappointed in that. I like the fact that we didn't back down and give them anything easy. I really like the fight. We just need to maintain our composure."

 Idaho State trailed 10-9 early before going on a 15-4 run to lead 24-14 following a Topalovic layup with 10:31 to play in the first half.

New Mexico got within one point twice in the final 10 minutes of the half but the Bengals maintained the lead to take a 38-32 advantage at the break. ISU scored the opening basket of the second half but UNM slowly chipped away at ISU's lead to build a 69-59 lead with 7:20 left in the game.

New Mexico led by as many as 12 points and ISU got no closer than seven the rest of the way.

"I am proud of my guys," Telfair said. "We have a young group and we played a tough game. The ball just didn't bounce our way. We will use this game as a learning experience to get ready for our next one."  

Idaho State returns to the court to play at Utah Valley University on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m.
 
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