Lobos Drop Finale to Split with San José State

ST. GEORGE, Utah — Junior Valdir Manuel led a trio of double-digit scorers on Saturday afternoon with 25 points against San José State, but despite the Lobos being up by two at the half, it wasn’t enough as SJSU outscored New Mexico 50-36 in the second half for the 83-71 win.

With the loss, UNM is now 5-9 on the season, 1-9 in Mountain West play, while SJSU improves to 3-11, 1-9 MW.

Manuel had a career day and stuffed the stat sheet, racking up a UNM career-high 25 points, tying his UNM career-most seven rebounds while also posting four blocks. Joining him in scoring in double figures were juniors Saquan Singleton and Rod Brown.

Singleton registered his second double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 assists while Brown was close to a double-double with 10 points and seven boards to go along with four assists.

Senior Makuach Maluach also helped lead UNM with six points, six rebounds and six assists. Maluach is now ranked 26th in Lobo scoring history with 1,148 career points.

San José State was led by five players scoring in double figures including four to register 16 points. One Spartan posted a double-double, sophomore Omari Moore, who collected 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The Lobos started the game strong, getting out to an eight-point advantage on an 11-0 run just 5:24 into the contest. Singleton scored four straight points before Manuel hit a jumper, a three and finished the run with a dunk to put UNM up 13-5.

SJSU responded with seven straight points to make it a one-point game and the teams went back-and-forth throughout the half. With the score tied at 33-33 with 1:27 left, Brown scored with a hook shot in the paint to put UNM on top at the half.

Manuel went 6-for-9 from the floor for 13 points and six rebounds in just the first half. The Lobos outshot the Spartans 53.6-46.2 percent.

The teams kept it close in the second half until the Spartans went on an 8-2 run to get ahead by seven points with 8:08 on the clock. The Lobos tried to come back, cutting the lead back down to three, but SJSU went on a 17-4 run over 5:23 to put the Spartans up by 16 with 1:54 left on the clock on the way to the win.

Both teams shot 50 percent or just over from the floor on the day, but SJSU connected on 10 from behind the arc to just five for UNM. New Mexico outrebounded San José State 39-29 but committed 15 turnovers to just seven for the Spartans en route to the loss.

The Lobos are set to return to Albuquerque for the first time in nearly two weeks before embarking on their next journey to Fresno State. The Lobos and the Bulldogs are set to face off on Thursday, Jan. 28, at 9 p.m. MT on CBS Sports Network.

Postgame Notes

• The Lobos now lead the series with the Spartans 17-4
• UNM is now 3-1 over the last four contests

TEAM NOTES:

• UNM posted the same lineup in game two: Singleton, Maluach, Wegscheider, Brown and Manuel.
• The Lobos were led by three scorers in double figures including juniors Valdir Manuel, Rod Brown and Saquan Singleton.
• SJSU had five players score in double digits.
• The Lobos posted 26 assists as a team on 31 made baskets
  • The last time UNM racked up 20+ assists was on Dec. 17, 2019 (23)
• Both teams shot at or just over 50 percent from the field, but SJSU doubled the Lobos’ production from 3-point range, 10-5.
• SJSU outscored UNM off of turnovers 18-5.
• Both teams scored exactly 38 points in the paint.
• The game featured eight lead changes, five ties and both teams led for just over 18 minutes.
• The Lobos made just four free throws to 11 for SJSU (4-9/11-23)
• UNM posted six blocks to none for the Spartans.
• SJSU posted 20 fast breaks compared to just five for UNM
• After the Lobos went into the locker room at halftime up by two, the Spartans outscored UNM by 14 points in the second half (50-36).

INDIVIDUAL NOTES:

• Senior Makuach Maluach started his 70th straight career contest
  • He also competed in his 113th career game
  • With his six points, he now posts 1,148 career points and ranks 26th in Lobo history.
    • Maluach passed former Lobo greats David Chiotti (1,145) and Phillip McDonald (1,146).
• Junior Saquan Singleton remained at the point and registered his second double-double of the season, this time in points/assists. He racked up 14 points to go along with 11 assists.
• Junior Valdir Manuel scored a UNM career-high 25 points to go along with seven rebounds and four blocks
  • Saturday’s game marks the first that Manuel has led the Lobos in scoring this season
• Junior Rod Brown neared a double-double with 10 points and seven rebounds.