Aggies Return Favor By Knocking Out Idaho, 88-55

There was a time on Saturday when New Mexico State was frightened and unnerved on the Kibbie Dome basketball court.

Unfortunately for Idaho, that was during a 12:30 shoot-around when Denmark Reid was hit by a discus chucked during a Vandal track meet being held adjacent to the court. The flying saucer cleared the rolled-up portable bleachers and one-hopped into Reid’s chest.

“It knocked me out for a couple minutes,” Reid said. “I didn’t see the thing coming.”

About 6 hours later, Idaho got knocked out by Reid, who hit five 3-pointers, and his talented teammates as the Aggies used a stifling zone defense to post an 88-55 win before 3,833.

It was Idaho’s worst loss since Oregon State (100-59) in December, 1979, and the most lopsided Dome defeat since Northern Arizona (91-56) in January, 1979.

The Vandals’ Big West Tournament hopes were virtually eliminated. Idaho (4-8 Big West, 12-14 overall) visits Utah State and Nevada this week. New Mexico State is 14- 8, 9-4.

“They really ought to do something about that,” Aggies coach Neil McCarthy said of the discus mishap. “About four of ‘em landed there during our practice, so I wised up and moved to the other end of the court.”

Idaho could have used some track implements, perhaps a few well-positioned hurdles, to slow the speedy Aggies. The Vandals didn’t hit their first field goal until 6:20 had elapsed. By that time, New Mexico State led 14-1.

The margin ballooned to 21-3 and 39-13 as Idaho failed to navigate NMSU’s ball-hawking zone.

“They play the way that gives our team trouble,” UI coach Kermit Davis said. “Obviously you can’t run your man offense or your regular zone offense because they stretch everything out and they’re trapping. Guys have to go make athletic plays on their own and we’re not real good at that.”

Idaho was down 39-18 at half and never mounted a serious challenge.

It was essentially a replay of New Mexico State’s 71-47 defeat of Idaho last month, which had been the Vandals’ worst of the year before Saturday’s.

“When better athletes play harder than you, you really have no chance,” Davis said.

Best of the show were Reid, who had 19 points; Louis Richardson, who scored 18 on 8 of 9 shooting; and Hubbard, who added 10.

Jackman played hard throughout and led UI with 22 points and seven boards. Kris Baumann, who was 2-14 last month in Las Cruces, was 1 of 13.

Reggie Rose, who had provided an emotional spark in two UI wins earlier this week, played 2 minutes before being benched for what Davis called “a poor attitude.”

Davis said Rose didn’t say anything, but displayed bad body language.

New Mexico St. 88, Idaho 55

New Mexico St. (14-8) - Richardson 8-9 2-2 18, Lampkin 2-4 0-0 4, Davis 1-2 2-3 4, Leban 2-3 4-5 8, Hubbard 4-9 1-2 10, Reid 6-10 2-2 19, Gonzales 0-2 1-2 1, Gosa 1-2 0-0 3, Lopez 0-1 0-0 0, Davis 2-7 10-10 14, Lawson 0-0 2-2 2, Laws 2-3 1-2 5. Totals 28-52 25-30 88.

Idaho (12-14) - Thompson 2-8 0-0 4, Byrne 2-3 2-2 6, Jackman 7-14 8-9 22, Baumann 1-13 2-2 5, Turner 3-6 1-2 7, Scott 0-0 0-0 0, Elliott 1-3 0-1 2, Rose 0-0 0-0 0, Harris 3-4 0-2 6, Wendt 1-6 0-0 3. Totals 20-57 13-18 55.

Halftime-New Mexico St. 39, Idaho 18. 3-Point goals-New Mexico St. 7-18 (Richardson 0-1, Hubbard 1-5, Reid 5-7, Gonzales 0-2, Gosa 1-2, Lopez 0-1), Idaho 2-21 (Thompson 0-3, Baumann 1-11, Elliott 0-2, Wendt 1-5). Fouled out-None. Rebounds-New Mexico St. 39 (Richardson 6), Idaho 28 (Jackman 7). Assists-New Mexico St. 11 (Hubbard 3), Idaho 11 (Harris 3). Total fouls-New Mexico St. 22, Idaho 23. A-3,833.

, DataTimes MEMO: Changed in Spokane edition.