New Mexico All-Stars dominate contest

Posted by Oree Foster | Apr 7, 2016 | Basketball |

Navajo Times | Paul Natonabah
New Mexico’s Colton Lowley (32) of Gallup shoots over an Arizona All-Star during the Arizona vs. New Mexico All-Star game Saturday, April 2 at the Special Events Center in Fort Defiance, Ariz.

FORT DEFIANCE

Smarting from last year’s two-game defeat, the New Mexico All-Stars chalked up a pair of victories over Arizona in its renewal series between the two neighboring states.

New Mexico posted a 117-99 win in the first game and they completed the two-game series with a 116-93 victory on Saturday.

New Mexico possessed height and their shooting ability from inside the paint and from the outside proved to be a difference maker.

The shorter Arizona had speed and was a threat from the three-point arc.

New Mexico was paced throughout the first half behind the shooting of Elijah Harry (Shiprock), Matthew Begay (Gallup), Andre Joe (Shiprock) and Richie Lucero (Grants).

Harry had a hot hand as he took command with his three-point and perimeter shooting. Harry nailed a pair of treys and two field goals.

Begay canned three baskets and added a three-pointer. Joe scored all his first half points inside the paint, maneuvering around Arizona defenders.

Lucero towered over Arizona’s defense, utilizing his 6-foot-5 frame. The agile Lucero knocked down two treys and added a basket from the perimeter.

Dalvin Benally (Winslow), Blake Lupe (Alchesay) and Kane Parrish (Monument Valley) kept Arizona alive throughout the initial 20 minutes of action.

Benally pumped in four treys and added a pair of baskets from the perimeter for 16 first half points.

Lupe knocked down a pair of three-pointers and Parrish scored six points inside the paint.

Both teams continued it’s up-tempo play for the rest of the first half. At the half, New Mexico held a 64-50 advantage.

In the second half, New Mexico led by as much as 30 points with Joe continuing his hot shooting with eight markers. Gallup’s Shawn Eskeets also scored eight and helped pick up the scoring slack for New Mexico.

Keegan Acosta (Piedra Vista) and Lucero both added six points apiece for New Mexico.

Arizona’s Abrian Dickson of Holbrook heated up in the second half and scored 11 points. The scoring spread, however, was too much to overcome. It also didn’t help that New Mexico outscored Arizona, 53-49, in the second half as well.

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