BYU Outlasts New Mexico

PROVO -- On a night when Mekeli Wesley moved up the career record lists, the Cougars moved past New Mexico in convincing fashion with a 65-49 victory at the Marriott Center.

The game began in a similar fashion to Thursday night's victory over Air Force, with Terrell Lyday scoring nine of BYU's first 15 points. The Cougars were answered by junior guard Tim Lightfoot, who scored four of New Mexico's first 10 points.

Wesley joined Lyday in the scoring output, netting 10 of the Cougars next 12 points. Wesley jumped past Kresimir Cosic to eighth on the all-time scoring list at 1,522 points, on a three pointer with 5:20 remaining in the first half.

Despite Wesley and Lyday's offensive output, the game was largely a defensive contest. BYU held New Mexico to 23 points in the first half on 40 percent shooting, the second lowest point total for the Lobos since the second game of the season versus Temple. The Cougars ended the first half leading 36-23. Coach Steve Cleveland commented on BYU's defensive effort.

"New Mexico is a tough team to defend off the dribble," Cleveland said. "They are alway coming at you. The two keys tonight were to have no transition baskets and to contain their penetration. For the most part, we were able to execute that game plan."

New Mexico remained in the game as they opened the second half with an 11-4 run. The run, which was led by sophomore guard Marlon Parmer, closed BYU's lead to six. BYU reacted quickly, scoring 10 of the game's next 12 points, pushing their lead back to 16 at 52-36. New Mexico coach Fran Fraschilla credited the Cougars defense for the swing.

"BYU is an excellent team at home," Fraschilla said. "They did a good job of crowding us in the middle and jumping out on the perimeter. We had a number of opportunities to get back in the game, but we missed some free throws and we missed some shots. That's not to take away from how good BYU is and the job they did on defense."

Senior forward Nate Cooper had a strong night for the Cougars grabbing a season-high 8 rebounds. Welsey led BYU in scoring for the 12th game this season. Lyday added 19 points and dished out a team-high 3 assists.

Wesley continued his move up BYU's career charts, passing Mike Smith into fifth place for most free throws made, hitting seven of his nine attempts.

The Cougars will have a week before they go on the road to face UNLV on Saturday, Feb. 10, and San Diego State on Monday, Feb. 12.

- BYU -

Official Basketball Box Score -- GAME TOTALS -- FINAL STATISTICS
New Mexico vs BRIGHAM YOUNG Cougars
02/03/01 4:05 at Provo, Utah
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VISITORS: New Mexico 13-6, 3-3
                          TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
04 WHITE, Wayland...... f  1-4    0-0    0-1    1  3  4   5   2  2  1  0  3  27
21 SMITH, Brian........ c  1-1    0-0    2-4    0  3  3   4   4  0  1  0  0  21
02 PARMER, Marlon...... g  2-8    1-4    2-2    1  4  5   2   7  4  4  0  1  37
05 DOUGLAS, Ruben...... g  4-11   1-5    0-0    1  2  3   1   9  0  5  0  2  34
42 CHATFIELD, Eric..... g  3-6    1-4    2-4    0  1  1   0   9  3  3  0  0  24
10 LIGHTFOOT, Tim......    5-8    2-5    3-5    0  2  2   5  15  0  2  0  0  16
31 JOHNSON, Zeke.......    1-3    0-0    1-2    0  2  2   2   3  0  1  0  1  15
33 DENNEHY, Patrtck....    0-2    0-0    0-0    3  1  4   3   0  1  1  1  0  12
44 BROUSSARD, Alvin....    0-1    0-1    0-0    0  2  2   2   0  0  0  0  0  14
   TEAM................                            2  2
   Totals..............   17-44   5-19  10-18   6 22 28  24  49 10 18  1  7 200
TOTAL FG% 1st Half:  8-20  .400   2nd Half:  9-24  .375   Game:  .386  DEADBALL
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  2-9   .222   2nd Half:  3-10  .300   Game:  .263  REBOUNDS
F Throw % 1st Half:  5-10  .500   2nd Half:  5-8   .625   Game:  .556     5
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HOME TEAM: BRIGHAM YOUNG Cougars 16-6, 5-2
                          TOT-FG  3-PT         REBOUNDS
## Player Name            FG-FGA FG-FGA FT-FTA OF DE TOT PF  TP  A TO BLK S MIN
15 WESLEY, Mekeli...... f  5-8    4-6    7-9    1  3  4   3  21  0  4  1  0  38
25 NIELSEN, Eric....... f  2-2    0-0    0-0    1  2  3   4   4  0  2  1  0  23
42 COOPER, Nathan...... f  1-2    0-1    2-2    0  8  8   2   4  0  2  0  2  31
21 WHITING, Trent...... g  3-7    0-1    3-5    0  3  3   3   9  1  3  0  3  29
24 LYDAY, Terrell...... g  4-12   1-2   10-12   0  2  2   2  19  3  1  0  2  38
01 KNIGHT, Nate........    1-2    0-0    0-0    0  1  1   1   2  0  1  1  2  10
20 BOBIK, Daniel.......    1-3    0-2    3-3    0  3  3   1   5  0  0  0  1  17
31 MONTAGUE, Matt......    0-1    0-0    0-0    0  0  0   1   0  2  0  0  0   9
34 CHRISMAN, Jacob.....    0-0    0-0    1-2    0  1  1   0   1  0  2  0  0   5
   TEAM................                         1  1  2
   Totals..............   17-37   5-12  26-33   3 24 27  17  65  6 15  3 10 200
TOTAL FG% 1st Half: 11-19  .579   2nd Half:  6-18  .333   Game:  .459  DEADBALL
3-Pt. FG% 1st Half:  4-6   .667   2nd Half:  1-6   .167   Game:  .417  REBOUNDS
F Throw % 1st Half: 10-12  .833   2nd Half: 16-21  .762   Game:  .788     2
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Officials: Dick Cartmell, Bob Staffen, Jimmie Flores
Technical fouls: New Mexico-None. BRIGHAM YOUNG Cougars-None.
Attendance: 12756
Score by Periods                1st  2nd   Total
New Mexico....................   23   26  -   49
BRIGHAM YOUNG Cougars.........   36   29  -   65