Lobos Face Spartans on Road Wednesday
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The Lobos close out the month of January on the road with a midday midweek game at San José State on Wednesday at 11 a.m. PT/ 12 p.m. MT.
UNM enters the contest on a four-game win streak and holds a 15-6 overall record, 6-2 record in the Mountain West and is 4-2 on the road. For the Spartans, they are 6-13 on the season, 1-6 in the MW and 3-4 at home.|
Historically, UNM is 15-4 all-time, 6-3 in the games played in San Jose and has won the last three meetings against the Spartans.
WHAT’S TRENDING
The Lobos are:
•4-0 in games decided by 1-4 points
•8-0 when shooting 40% or better
•14-0 when scoring 60 or more points
•13-0 when UNM has a higher FG% and 8-0 with a higher 3-point FG% than its opponent
– 7x UNM has had a higher FG% and higher 3-point % FG than its opponent in the same game
•9-2 when outrebounding opponent
•11-1 when leading after the 1st quarter, 11-0 when leading at the half and 11-0 when leading after the 3rd
HEATING UP
The Lobos enter Wednesday’s game on a four-game win streak, scoring 71.8 ppg and winning by a +8.0 scoring margin. Four Lobos averaged over 12 points per game, led by Nyah Wilson’s 20.3 ppg on 51.9% shooting. Aniyah Augmon has averaged 16.3 ppg, shooting 46.3%, Paula Reus averaged 12.8 ppg in the streak, shooting 46.3%, and Vianè Cumber averaged 12.3 ppg with 40.9% shooting and 10 three-pointers in the span. During UNM’s streak, Wilson has scored 20-plus points in three of the four games and double figures in all four.
As a team, UNM has shot 46.8% in the last four games, and at a 35.5% rate from behind the arc. The Lobos are also getting it done at the free-throw line, making an average of 18.3 free throws, shooting 79.3%. UNM has made 20-plus free throws in three of the four games, going 21-28 against Wyoming, 21-25 against Fresno State and a season-high 26-32 at Air Force. Augmon has had a combined 12 steals in the last four games and has gone 25-34 at the free-throw line, while Wilson has gone 26-32 from the line.
UNM has turned a gear in the final 20 minutes, outscoring opponents 75-66 (+9) in the third quarter and 80-59 (+21) in the fourth quarter.
SECOND HALF ADJUSTMENTS
The Lobos have flipped a switch in the final 20 minutes in conference, outscoring opponents 143-137 (+6) in the third and 155-136 (+19) in the fourth for a 298-273 (+25) margin in the final two quarters. Three times in conference the Lobos have trailed at the half and won the game (Utah State, Wyoming, UNLV) with the Lobos trailing at the end of the third against Wyoming and UNLV.
UNM outscored UNLV 39-30, Wyoming 37-23, Utah State 46-40 in the final two quarters to turn halftime deficits into victories. Even against Fresno State where the Lobos led by one at the break, UNM outscored the Bulldogs 47-41 in the second half to win by seven.
DEFENSE DELIVERS
Saturday’s game at Air Force marked the eighth time this season the Lobos have held their opponents to single digits in a quarter, six times in the first quarter. In addition, UNM has held an opponent to 20 points or under in the first two quarters four times this season, which also occurred against the Falcons.
ABOUT SAN JOSÈ STATE
The Spartans are 6-13 on the season, 1-6 in the MW, and 3-4 at home. SJSU averages 61.4 ppg, led by two in double figures in Jyah Lovett (14.6 ppg) and Amhyia Moreland (12.4 ppg). The duo also leads in steals (Lovett at 41), blocks (Moreland at 31) and rebounds (Moreland at 6.7 rpg). On the defensive end, the Spartans are allowing 62.7 ppg, but are also averaging 9.6 steals per game and 3.4 blocks per game.
SJSU is outscoring opponents in the third (337-291) and fourth (326-305) on the season and 119-110 in the third and 115-113 in the fourth in conference games.
Against MW opponents, the Spartans are scoring 58.9 ppg and allowing 67.9, with Lovett accounting for 18.0 ppg and Moreland 14.1 ppg. Moreland is also leading with 7.4 rpg and 12 blocks, while Lovett leads with 20 assists.
Nine different players have started at least two MW games with Lovett and Moreland starting six.