Record falls as Lobos ground Air Force

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (KRQE) - No. 8 New Mexico held off a spirited effort from Air Force to win its Mountain West Conference Tournament quarterfinal game 75-69.

In winning, the Lobos set a school record with their 29th win of the season. It was New Mexico's 15th consecutive victory.

Junior Darington Hobson led the Lobos with 28 points and 15 rebounds. Point guard Dairese Gary added 20 points, making 14 of 15 free throws.

Of some concern for Lobo fans, though, is an injury Gary sustained early in the game.

Gary got tangled with other players and fell hard to the floor, sustaining a strained lower back muscle. Gary did continue to play though.

The first half was streaky for both teams.

The Lobos raced to a 12-4 lead in the first four minutes of the game mainly on the strength of three-pointers.

Román Martinez launched a pair and Philip McDonald drilled one from the corner.

Air Force then went on a 9-0 run to take a 13-12 lead with 14:00 left in the first half.

After an 8-0 run of their own, the Lobos took a nine-point lead on a McDonald three-pointer with 6:25 remaining in the first half.

New Mexico led 38-31 at the break, with 13 points from Hobson.

Early in the second half, the Lobos struggled with their game and their emotions. With 14:00 left in the game, Hobson drove the baseline for a basket, and then drew a technical foul for taunting the Falcons.

The Falcons cut the Lobo lead to 48-47 with 12:48 left on an Evan Washington drive and foul.

But the Lobos regained control of the game on a Martinez block and an A.J. Hardeman dunk for a 55-49 lead with 9:30 left.

The Lobos sealed the game with free throws from Gary and a Hobson tipin with 1:30 remaining to give the Lobos a commanding 68-58 lead.

New Mexico, now 29-3 on the season, advances to Friday night's semifinals of the tournament and will play San Diego State.  SDSU beat Colorado State 72-71 Thursday afternoon on two free throws scored with 23 seconds left.