Dec. 2, 2000
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Eric Chatfield scored 22 points and New Mexico took advantage of Western Kentucky's foul trouble in the second half for a 75-57 win Saturday.
New Mexico (4-1) led 41-37 after Western Kentucky's Chris Marcus hit five of his first six shots in the second half. But the Hilltoppers' 7-footer then picked up his third foul and went to the bench. That allowed the Lobos to build their lead back to 11 points and steadily pulled away from there.
Marcus led Western Kentucky (3-2) with a career-high 22 points and had eight rebounds and four blocks.
New Mexico got a double-double from point guard Marlon Parmer with 12 points and 10 assists. Malcolm Battles added 13 points for New Mexico and Wayland White had 11 rebounds.
Derek Robinson scored 13 points for Western Kentucky.
New Mexico took a 17-4 lead with a 9-0 run early in the first half. The Hilltoppers had just one field goal over the first 9 1/2 minutes. But, WKU rallied late in the period and in the early minutes of the second half to narrow the gap to four points on a three by Robinson at 14:43. The Lobos then countered with seven in a row to regain control of the game.
New Mexico didn't have a turnover in the first half while the Hilltoppers were charged with 10 miscues.
