Jan 26, 2002

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) - Donta Richardson scored 22 points and Uche Nsonwu-Amadi added 20 points and 11 rebounds in leading Wyoming past New Mexico 79-67 Saturday.

The Cowboys (13-4, 4-0 Mountain West) have won four straight and eight of their last nine.

Wyoming trailed 36-31 at the half and fell behind 42-35 early in the second half before going on a 16-0 run to go up 51-42 at the 11:54 mark. Richardson had two 3-pointers to lead the run.

New Mexico pulled within 65-61 with 4:53 left, but Richardson answered with another 3-pointer, his sixth of the game, to end the threat. Wyoming pulled ahead behind a stingy defense and good free throw shooting.

Marcus Bailey contributed 13 points and Josh Davis 11 for the Cowboys.

New Mexico was led by 20 points and nine rebounds from Ruben Douglas. Eric Chatfield added 18 points.

The Lobos (12-6, 2-2) went through a tumultuous week leading up to the game. Junior point guard Marlon Parmer, a preseason all-MWC selection, quit the team Tuesday amid a war of words with head coach Fran Fraschilla.

Parmer, who was averaging 12.8 points a game, accused Fraschilla of verbal abuse and of making him a scapegoat for the team. For his part, Fraschilla said losing Parmer was like shedding "100 pounds of weight" from his back.

The Lobos have not won in Laramie since 1995 and have lost the last five games of the series.