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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team shocked a crowd of over 10,500 fans in Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit in its first regular-season outing under first-year head coach Paul Weir on Saturday night. The Lobos shattered the UNM record for points scored in a game (136), claiming a 147-76 victory over Northern New Mexico.
The 71-point victory margin also ties the nearly 45-year-old record for largest victory margin, which occurred on December 29, 1972 against Dartmouth at The Pit.
Northern New Mexico is now 2-8 on the season while the Lobos start out 1-0 for the 15th straight season.
“I am extremely thankful to every fan that came through the door tonight and hopefully they’ll continue to come out and support us as we try and earn their trust and their respect as a basketball program,” Coach Weir said. “Obviously (this was) the kind of offensive game we’ve been looking for. Our last scrimmage was a very similar outcome, so we’re thankful that we’re shooting the ball the way we are.”
The fiery Lobo offense dominated early and refused to let up. UNM got out to a 15-point lead less than five minutes into the first half, taking a 22-7 advantage with 15:38 still remaining in the first half. The Eagles went on an ensuing 7-0 run, testing the Lobo defense and cutting the home lead to eight, but UNM quickly pushed back ahead and extended the lead to 20 on a three from junior Troy Simons with 9:43 left.
The Lobos concluded the first-half performance with a trio of back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers, two from junior Anthony Mathis and a third from junior transfer Chris McNeal. McNeal collected four threes in the first half alone and helped pace UNM to a 74-point first-half showing, just two points shy of the UNM record for most points in a single half. The record is 76, which occurred on November 23, 1990 against Texas-Arlington.
The Lobos shot 61 percent from the field in the first half (25-41) and 50 percent from 3-point range (10-20). Three players had reached double digits including McNeal (13), senior Sam Logwood (12) and freshman Makuach Maluach (11).
Junior Dane Kuiper opened the second half with a pair of free throws to put the Lobos up 40, 75-35.
Simons and freshman Vladimir Pinchuk shined in the second half, putting up 11 and 10 points, respectively en route to the victory.
McNeal burst on the scene in his first regular-season game as a Lobo with the first UNM double-double in points and assists since March 2, 2014. He posted a team-best 24 points on the night to go along with 10 assists.
Led by McNeal, eight of the 11 Lobos to hit the floor scored in double digits including Simons (19), Maluach (18), Kuiper (17), Mathis (16), Logwood (14), Pinchuk (12) and senior Antino Jackson (12).
As a team, the Lobos collected 40 assists and 22 steals, both ranking high in Lobo history. Forty assists ties the record for most in a game, which the Lobos had done twice previously, the first on December 16, 1978 against Central Florida and again on November 23, 1990 against Texas-Arlington. Twenty-two steals is the second-most in a game in team history (25 is the record).
On the night, UNM shot 64.7 percent (55-85) from the floor including 46.2 percent from three and 86.4 percent from the free-throw line. The Lobos’ 55 field goals is just four shy of the record for most in a game. The Lobos posted 59 in the November 23, 1990 game against Texas-Arlington.
The Lobos also posted an outstanding 18 3-pointers on the night, just two short of the record 20 set on November 13, 2004 against Santa Clara, while defensively UNM posted six blocks and collected 32 defensive rebounds (45 overall). Senior Joe Furstinger led the way with three blocks.
The Lobos will have just a few days to rest before continuing their season start. UNM will play Nebraska-Omaha on Tuesday, Nov.ember14 at 7 p.m. on The Mountain West Network.