Tomislav Buljan scored 19 points and collected a school freshman-record 21 rebounds to lead New Mexico to an 80-78 victory over Mississippi State on Friday night in the consolation game of the Hall of Fame Classic at Kansas City, Mo.
Uriah Tenette and Deyton Albury added 13 points apiece for the Lobos (4-2), who lost 84-72 to Nebraska in Thursday’s first round of the tournament. Antonio Chol had 12 points for New Mexico
Josh Hubbard drained six 3-pointers and scored 29 points for the Bulldogs (2-3), who dropped a 98-77 decision to Kansas State on Thursday. Jayden Epps added 21 points and six assists for Mississippi State.
Hubbard’s jumper gave the Bulldogs a 77-76 lead with 1:50 remaining, before the Lobos moved back ahead by one on Albury’s layup with 29.7 seconds to play.
Hubbard missed a 3-pointer with about 13 seconds left, and Tenette made two free throws with 7.6 seconds to go to give New Mexico an 80-77 lead.
The Lobos fouled Epps with 3.8 seconds left to prevent a 3-point opportunity. Epps made the first free throw and intentionally missed the second and Buljan got the rebound and he dribbled downcourt to run out the clock.
Buljan broke the freshman board mark set by school legend Kenny Thomas, who had 17 against Utah on March 9, 1996.
Albury didn’t start the contest one night after being ejected with 1:38 left in the first half for punching Nebraska’s Connor Essegian in the back of the head. He was subbed into the contest against Mississippi State with 14:49 remaining in the opening half.
Hubbard converted a three-point play to tie the score at 60 with 9:53 left in the game.
More than 5 1/2 minutes later, Buljan’s hook shot tied it at 71.
Buljan swished a 3-pointer to give New Mexico a 76-75 edge with 2:06 remaining.
Chol scored 12 first-half points as New Mexico led 40-39 at the break. Hubbard had 15 points on five 3-pointers and Epps had 14 in the half for the Bulldogs.
The Lobos held a 21-14 lead after a 3-pointer by Jake Hall with 10:52 left in the half.
Hubbard drilled three 3-pointers in 58 seconds as the Bulldogs used a 9-3 burst to move within 24-23 with 9:05 remaining.
New Mexico answered with an 8-2 push to lead by seven on a basket by Tenette.
Nebraska and Kansas State met in the championship game later Friday night.
–Field Level Media
