FORT COLLINS — Adam Nigon’s career-best 23 points Tuesday night weren’t enough. A total reversal in form from an inept road show at UNLV couldn’t do it, either.
Certainly, Colorado State’s offensive rebounding wasn’t enough compared with No. 10 New Mexico. The Lobos escaped Moby Arena with a 72-66 victory and immediately turned their attention to Saturday’s Mountain West Conference title bout at BYU.
Nigon’s 3-pointer — his sixth of the game — with 22.4 seconds left closed the gap to 69-66. New Mexico put it away by making 3-of-4 free throws.
“We just refuse to lose,” Lobos forward Roman Martinez said of the 12 consecutive victories for the league leaders (26-3, 12-2 MWC).
The game’s critical stretch came early in the second half when New Mexico took over on the offensive glass, then fed to a wide-open Martinez in the right corner. In a stretch where Martinez pulled the Lobos from a 39-38 edge to 47-43, they came down with seven offensive rebounds.
“They had to respect our penetration,” said Martinez, who had 17 points, including four 3-pointers, and a game-high 12 rebounds. “I had the open 3s and they fell.”
Reviewing the Lobos’ 44-32 rebounding domination, led by a combined 11 offensive boards from Martinez and Darington Hobson, CSU coach Tim Miles said, “If we were a little tougher on the boards, we would have taken this game.”
Coming off a 70-39 loss at UNLV, CSU forward Andy Ogide said team pride propelled the Rams to a more respectable showing Tuesday. But the slimmer margin didn’t ease the disappointment.
“Whether you are losing by 30 or five points, it hurts,” CSU’s Harvey Perry said.
Ahead 32-29 at intermission, CSU missed its first seven shots of the second half and played catch-up most of the way. Nigon’s 3-pointer with 6:27 remaining provided the final CSU lead at 55-53.
“Adam was trying to will us a win. You could see it in him,” Miles said of the junior guard.
With the rest of the MWC off, CSU (15-12, 6-7) remained in fifth place.
“I have to give Colorado State credit. They had great energy throughout the game,” said Lobos coach Steve Alford.
Dairese Gary led New Mexico with 23 points.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
