Wake Forest University
New Mexico
Demon Deacons Advance In NIT
3/21/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 21, 2000
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) - Wake Forest sported something of a new look against New Mexico. The Demon Deacons now get a chance to use it again in the third round of the NIT.
Robert O'Kelley scored 14 points and Josh Howard added 13 Tuesday night as Wake Forest (19-14) beat New Mexico 72-65.
"If we didn't show anything else, we showed a measure of toughness that was not there during the season," Wake Forest coach Dave Odom said.
Wake Forest used a substantial size advantage to overcome 29 points by Lamont Long of New Mexico (18-14), outrebounding the Lobos 50-35.
"I talked with some friends in the ACC and they said, `Be prepared for Wake Forest. They're the most physical team in the ACC,"' New Mexico coach Fran Fraschilla said. "And they did a great job on the boards, especially in the first half."
The size advantage helped Wake to a 43-30 halftime lead. New Mexico used a 13-0 run to tie it, Long scoring 13 of New Mexico's first 20 second-half points. His 3-pointer with 12:36 left tied the game at 50.
Wake Forest called a timeout, returned to its inside game and reclaimed the lead on a basket off an offensive rebound by Rafael Vidaurreta. The basket started a 10-2 run that put Wake Forest in front for good.
Long scored on several runners and free throws to keep New Mexico close, but when the Lobos closed to 65-61, Wake Forest pulled away again on a free throw by O'Kelley and a basket off an offensive rebound by Darius Songaila.
"I think we've always been tough but now we don't have the pressure of the NCAAs hanging over our heads," the 6-9 Vidaurreta said. "We were a lot more free to play our game and that showed."
Howard, a freshman, also had seven rebounds and three blocks and Songaila had 12 points and 12 rebounds. Reserve Craig Dawson hit all five of his shots and scored 10 points for the Demon Deacons.
Reserve Marlon Palmer scored 14 points for the Lobos, who were held to 35.9 percent shooting.
