Lobos Conclude Preseason with 86-73 Win over New Mexico Highlands
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M – The New Mexico men’s basketball team concluded its preseason schedule Wednesday night with an 86-73 exhibition victory over New Mexico Highlands at The Pit. The Lobos used a late 14-3 run to seal the victory and post their second double-digit exhibition win.
Jamal Mashburn, Jr. scored 14 of his game-high 25 points in the second half to lead the Lobos, while Donovan Dent scored 23 points for his second 20-point game of the preseason. Quinton Webb came off the bench to grab a game-high nine rebounds, to go along with nine points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lobos used an early 11-0 run to take a 14-2 lead after the opening four minutes of play. The Cowboys answered with an 11-0 run of their own to tie the game at 16-16 with 12:30 left in the half. New Mexico Highlands led for several minutes before a 6-0 Lobo run gave UNM a 34-30 lead with 4:45 to play in the half. UNM would lead by as many a six down the stretch before taking a 41-37 advantage into the break. Dent had 11 first-half points to lead the Lobos.
In the second half, UNM continued to lead and built a 61-54 advantage with 11:30 left to play. The Lobos led 69-65 with 5:00 to play before a 10-1 run pushed the lead to 79-66 with 3:09 left. New Mexico led by as many as 15 in the final minute before closing out the 86-73 win.
LOBO NOTES
• New Mexico had 14 steals, more than any game last season
• The Lobos improved to 29-0 against non-Division I opponents in preseason exhibitions, all wins by double figures
• Jaelen House, Jemarl Baker, Jr., and Isaac Mushila all missed the game due to injury
QUOTABLE
“Our defense over the last seven minutes was terrific. We turned them over. We pressed them. We bothered them. We scrambled, which was terrific to see. They forced a lot of turnovers at Arizona, 20-plus, and we only turned the ball over seven times. We were way better in the second half of running our offense. We know what our weaknesses are, and those exhibition games were great. We have to guard the ball better and we have rebound the ball better. It was great in the sense that we were in a close game and we need that because, although we are experienced, we have a lot of new guys out there who have never played in The Pit, which was indicative of 11 missed free throws. A good win, with a lot of good film, that will help us get ready for Monday.” – Richard Pitino
UP NEXT
The Lobos open the regular season on Monday, Nov. 6, when they host Texas Southern. Game time at The Pit is 7:30 p.m. and the game is the second of a season-opening doubleheader at The Pit. The UNM women’s team also hosts Texas Southern in its season opener, with that game tipping off at 5:00 p.m. Season tickets and single-game tickets for UNM men’s and women’s basketball are on sale now at GoLobos.com/tickets.