ALBUQUERQUE, N.M – The New Mexico men’s basketball team returns to action Friday night as it hosts South Alabama at The Pit. Game time is 7:00 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on the Mountain West Network and on the Lobo Radio Network.
Tickets for Monday’s season opener start at $15 and can be ordered online at GoLobos.com/tickets or at the University Arena Ticket Office.
Friday’s game is the Lobos’ Salute to Service Night, sponsored by TLC. All active military and veterans will receive free admission with ID. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to check out the display of military vehicles as they enter The Pit and to be in their seats for a special Veterans Day performance of the national anthem.
The Lobos are coming off a season-opening 89-81 win over Southern Utah on Monday night, their 20th consecutive opening night victory. Jamal Mashburn, Jr. led UNM with 24 points, his 15th 20-point game of his career. Jaelen House had 23 points to go with seven assists and six steals, becoming the only Mountain West player in the last decade to have two games with at least seven assists and six steals in his career.
South Alabama is coming off a 97-59 season-opening victory on Wednesday night over NAIA University of Mobile. Jamar Franklin led the Jaguars with 18 points off the bench, while grad transfer center Kevin Samuel had a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. South Alabama, coming off a 21-win season in 2021-22, was picked third in the preseason Sun Belt poll.
Friday’s game is the first all-time meeting between the teams, as South Alabama is the first of four first-time opponents on New Mexico’s schedule this season.
Following Friday’s game, New Mexico will open its road schedule on Tuesday with a visit to SMU. The Lobos return home on Nov. 19 when they host New Mexico State in the first of two meetings of the Rio Grande Rivalry.