Lobos Never Trail in 84-65 Win Over Boise State
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The New Mexico men’s basketball team led wire-to-wire Friday night to post an 84-65 victory over Boise State. The Lobos (15-4, 7-1 MW) remain in first place in the conference while the Broncos (13-6, 5-3 MW) suffered their largest margin of loss this season.
Donovan Dent led UNM with 16 points and seven assists. Nelly Junior Joseph (16 points, nine rebounds) and Filip Borovicanin (nine points, 10 rebounds) just missed double-doubles. Tru Washington had 13 points and five assists while Mustapha Amzil added 11 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lobos got off to a quick start, opening the game on an 8-0 run over the opening three minutes. New Mexico held a 17-13 lead with 12:00 left in the half before holding a 21-15 advantage at the midway point of the half. UNM pushed the lead to double digits, 34-19 with 4:00 to go, after a 9-0 run. The Lobos ended the half on a 14-0 run to take a 48-21 lead into the break, their largest ever halftime lead in a Mountain West game. Dent had 14 points and six assists in the first half to lead the Lobos.
In the second half, the Broncos scored the first six points to cut the margin to 21 over the opening three minutes. The Lobos held a 55-33 lead with 12:00 to go and a 59-37 advantage at the midway point. UNM used a 7-0 run to extend the lead to 71-42 with 7:00 to play, its largest lead of the night. Boise State would get within 18 in the final minutes as UNM closed out the 19-point victory.
LOBO NOTES
• UNM matched its best eight-game start to a Mountain West season at 7-1 (also in 2012-13 and 2013-14)
• The Lobos shot 15-15 from the FT line, the third-best perfect FT game in program history
• UNM’s 27-point halftime lead set its record for its largest halftime lead in a Mountain West game, breaking the previous mark of 26 (58-32) at Colorado State in 2018
• Dent remains the only player in the nation to have at least 10 points and four assists in every game this season
• The Lobos improve to 10-0 this season when Tru Washington scores in double figures
QUOTABLE
“Great win. That first half absolutely was about as good of basketball that I have seen in my 13 years as a head coach. The guys were ready to go. Team defense – amazing. Effort – phenomenal. Rebounding and moving the basketball was terrific. Playing such a fun style, getting out on the break, was incredible. It was a great win against program that we really respect and know we are always going to get their best shot.” – Richard Pitino
UP NEXT
The Lobos will complete the two-game homestand on Monday when they host Fresno State in a MLK Day matinee. Game time is 3:00 p.m. and the contest will air on CBSSN. Tickets are on sale now at GoLobos.com/tickets.