Advertisement New Mexico Lobos outlast Titans UNM 67, Cal State Fullerton 59 Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The UNM men's basketball team improved to 2-0 this season with a 67-59 victory over Cal State Fullerton. Here are some takeaways from the game:1. Super Sophomore: For the second straight game it was Cullen Neal who carried the offensive workload. The Eldorado High School star scored 21 of his game-high 23 points in the second half. The Lobo point guard is quickly turning into the team's go-to guy with a combined 49 points in two games. He was 6-15 shooting from the field, but was 3-5 from long range.2. Pace Setter: Hugh Greenwood got things going for New Mexico, scoring all 11 of his points in the first half. When the offense failed to find buckets it was Greenwood who delivered. Greenwood finished with 0 turnovers in 38 minutes of work.3. Leftovers: They say free throws won't win you games, but they can lose games for you. The Lobos shot just 66 percent from the charity stripe (24-36). That's 12 points left behind. Luckily the Titans shot 28 percent from the line. No harm, no foul?4. 3rd Wheel: The Lobos could use a third scorer. Neal and Greenwood combined for more than half the team's points. No other player scored in double digits. Deshawn Delaney was 3-5 from the field and finished with 7 points. 5. Big Shoes to Fill: Head coach Craig Neal told his players Alex Kirk and Cameron Bairstow aren't walking through the door. The Lobos could use some consistent production in the paint. Cal State Fullerton outscored UNM 20-18 in the paint. If the jumpers don't fall, someone has to clean it up with putbacks. The Lobos won the battle of the boards 35-23.6. Swag: For the second game in a row, the Lobos wore special uniforms, auctioning them off and giving the proceeds to charity. This time the team wore uniforms with a touch of turquoise to honor Native Americans. Raising over four thousand dollars for the Notah Begay III Foundation and the UNM American Indian Student Services. The game featured the National Anthem in Navajo and performances from Native Americans.7. Turning Back the Clock: The last time the Lobos faced Cal State Fullerton, they were eliminated from the 1978 NCAA Tournament, upsetting a Michael Cooper led team from advancing to the round of 16. Some fans have called it the toughest loss the program has ever suffered. While it was closer than they would have liked, history did not repeat itself. Although Craig Neal's turquoise colored plaid pants did remind some fans of coach Norm Ellenberger, known for sporting the turquoise.