Open Announce

Lobos Post 84-63 Win at SMU in Road Opener

by Steve Kirkland

DALLAS – The New Mexico men’s basketball team passed its first road test of the season, downing SMU 84-63 Tuesday night at Moody Coliseum. The Lobos (3-0) took control of the game early and defeated the Mustangs (1-2) for their largest-margin road win over a Division I opponent in five seasons.

Four Lobos scored in double figures, led by Josiah Allick and Jaelen House, each with 18 points. Allick had nine rebounds to just miss his first Lobo double-double, while House added five assists. Jamal Mashburn, Jr. had 16 points and Morris Udeze had 15 points.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After UNM got off to a slow offensive start in the opening minutes, a 7-0 run gave the Lobos their first lead at 9-6 at 14:30. After SMU retook the lead, a 10-0 Lobo run gave them a 21-13 lead the midway point of the half.  The Lobos took their largest lead of the half at 43-28 with 2:00 left in the half and led 45-32 at the break. Allick had 12 points and Udeze had nine points in the first half to lead UNM.

In the second half, the Lobos opened with a 7-2 lead to take a 52-34 lead with 16:00 to play. UNM pushed the lead to 20 at 61-41 with 12:45 to go and led 65-46 at the midway point. New Mexico led by as many as 25 points before closing out the 84-63 victory.

LOBO NOTES
• The 21-point margin of victory was the Lobos’ largest in a road game against a Division I opponent since a 108-87 win at Colorado State in 2018
• UNM improved to 3-0 with three victories over Division I opponents since 2016-17
• Mashburn scored in double figures for the 24th consecutive game, the longest active streak in the Mountain West

QUOTABLE
“I thought we did a really good job of defending, setting the tone and being a little more aggressive. We were scrappy and stuck to the game plan. We continue to not turn the ball over, and that’s huge. It was a terrific road win. We only had two of those last year. I am proud of them and now the key is can we stay humble, regroup and have two great days of practice leading into New Mexico State.” – Richard Pitino

UP NEXT
The Lobos begin a four-game homestand Saturday when they host New Mexico State in the first of two editions this season of the Rio Grande Rivalry. Game time at The Pit is 5 p.m. Tickets for the game are available online at GoLobos.com/tickets.