Lobos Extend Win Streak to Seven with 62-48 Victory over San Diego State
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The New Mexico men’s basketball team extended its win streak to seven with a 62-48 victory over San Diego State on Saturday in front of a sold out crowd at The Pit. The Lobos (14-3, 6-0 MW) remain unbeaten in conference play, while the Aztecs (10-4, 3-2 MW) suffered their largest margin of defeat this season.
Donovan Dent had 16 points and five assists to lead New Mexico. Tru Washington added 13 points, while Mustapha Amzil had 10 points and 11 rebounds for his second double-double of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
New Mexico used an early 12-0 run to take a 14-4 lead over the opening six minutes. The lead grew to 11 before UNM held a 16-9 lead at the midway point of the half. The Lobos led 21-9 with 7:30 to play in the half before the Lobos pushed the margin to 28-14 with 4:00 left. UNM led by as many as 13 in the final minutes before taking a 30-20 lead into the break. Washington led the Lobos with eight first-half points.
In the second half, the Aztecs scored the first five points to cut the lead in half in the opening minute. The Lobos answered with six straight to push the lead back to double digits at 36-25. The Lobos pushed the lead to 52-35 with 8:00 to play with an 8-0 run as the Aztecs went over six minutes without scoring. UNM led 56-37 with 6:00 to go after Washington’s third triple of the day. The lead would reach 20 in the final minutes as the Lobos closed out the 62-48 victory.
LOBO NOTES
• The Lobos continue their best start to Mountain West play at 6-0, the best conference start since 1977-78 (10-0 in WAC)
• UNM had a season-high 51 rebounds and had a +16 rebounding margin (best this season vs. a Division I opponent)
• The Aztecs’ 48 points were the fewest by a Lobo Mountain West opponent since 2017-18 (47 by San Jose State in an 80-47 UNM victory at The Pit)
• San Diego State’s 20 first-half points tied for the fewest allowed by the Lobos in the Pitino era (Western New Mexico – 20 in first half in 2022-23)
• It was the second sellout of the season at The Pit (crowd of 15,428)
QUOTABLE
“Before the game, we talked about points off turnovers and offensive rebounds. We gave up one point off of turnovers and one point on second chances. It was just phenomenal. We had to beat them at their own game. I’m saying that with the utmost respect because they are so tough physically. Our guys did an amazing job of showing that toughness. It was a phenomenal win and an amazing crowd, all on national TV. I am proud of the impact that this team has had on this community.” – Richard Pitino
UP NEXT
The Lobos will visit San Jose State on Tuesday (8:00 pm MT, MW Network) before returning home to host Boise State next Friday (Jan. 17). Game time is 9:00 pm and tickets are on sale now at GoLobos.com/tickets.