Lobos Top NNMC 115-66 in Home Exhibition Saturday

BOX SCORE | PHOTO GALLERY | POST-GAME NOTES | POST-GAME QUOTES

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team claimed a 115-66 exhibition victory over Northern N.M. on Saturday night in Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit that included a near-perfect performance from the floor by senior Anthony Mathis and five players scoring in double figures.

While records in exhibition games do not count, it is worth noting that Mathis tied his career-high in points with 25 going a perfect 5-for-5 from behind the arc, 10-for-10 at the free throw line and 5-for-6 from the floor overall. 

Mathis’ 25 points led the Lobos on the night and he was followed by junior Corey Manigault and redshirt-sophomore Keith McGee who posted 19 apiece. Sophomore Vladimir Pinchuk posted a would-be new career high of 15 points (last year he tallied 12 against NNMC) and classmate Makuach Maluach posted 12.

Manigault also finished the night with a double-double posting 19 points and 10 rebounds while redshirt-sophomore Vance Jackson neared triple-double status with eight points, 10 rebounds and six assists.

After a high-scoring first half in which UNM entered halftime leading the NAIA school 63-44, the Lobos burst out of the locker room on a 16-0 run to extend the lead to 79-44. The run extended an 8-0 run that closed the last 1:46 of the first half to a 24-0 run, holding the Eagles scoreless for a total of 8:20 over the span.

UNM never trailed in the game, leading by as much as 52 points in the second half, and fired at a clip of 63.6 percent from the floor, 55.6 percent from behind the arc and 69.8 percent from the free throw line.

The Lobos are back in action on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at home as they take on Iona in regular-season competition.