ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The New Mexico men’s basketball team began the 2025-26 season, and the Eric Olen era, with a 76-54 victory over East Texas A&M on Wednesday night at The Pit. The Lobos (1-0) saw 12 players make their debut in Cherry and Silver as they handed the Lions (1-1) their first loss.
Freshmen Uriah Tenette and Jake Hall led the Lobos, each scoring 14 points in their collegiate debuts. Tajavis Miller added 11 points off the bench, while Tomislav Buljan nearly had a double-double in his collegiate debut, finishing with eight points and 15 rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lobos used an early 6-0 run to take an 8-4 lead at the first media timeout. A 9-0 UNM extended the lead to 15-4 with 12:45 left in the half before holding a 16-6 lead at the midway point of the half. An 8-0 run pushed the margin to 30-10 with 3:30 left in the half. The Lobos took a 34-14 lead into halftime as Tenette had seven first-half points to lead UNM.
In the second half, the Lions trimmed the margin to 43-26 over the opening six minutes of play. UNM used an 8-0 run to take a 51-26 lead with 12:15 left and held a 51-34 lead at the halfway point of the half. UNM led 60-37 with 8:15 left to play and pushed the margin to 67-43 with 5:45 to go. The Lobos would close out the 22-point win over the final minutes.
LOBO NOTES
• New Mexico’s starting lineup (Albury, Chol, Howell, Buljan, Hall) marked the second time in school history that five newcomers started a season-opener (2021-22)
• UNM started two freshmen in a season opener (Hall, Buljan) for the first time since 2010-11 (Alex Kirk, Kendall Williams)
• East Texas A&M’s 14 first-half points were the fewest allowed by the Lobos in nine years (led Arkansas-Pine Bluff 31-11 at the half on Dec. 17, 2016)
• Hall and Tenette led the team in scoring, marking the first time since 2007-08 that a freshman led the Lobos in scoring in a season opener (Jonathan Wills scored a team-high 13 points in the 2007-08 win at Colorado in his collegiate debut)
• Buljan’s 15 rebounds were T-4th most by a Lobo freshman, and the most by a Lobo in their collegiate debut
• New Mexico won its 23rd straight season opener and improved to 54-5 in home openers in The Pit
QUOTABLE
“It was a great first tome out for us. For our first real experience in The Pit, it was a lot of fun. This is a special place. Walking down the ramp, jump ball, I think everyone in our room had goosebumps. We are looking to build on that. Our guys set the tone defensively early and we went from there. We did some good things, but we still have a lot to work on.” – Eric Olen
UP NEXT
The Lobos’ three-game season-opening homestand will continue on Saturday (Nov. 8) when they host UT Arlington. Game time is 2 p.m. and the tickets are on sale now at GoLobos.com/tickets. Saturday is Kids Free Day at The Pit. Fans who purchase an adult ticket can add two free kids tickets at GoLobos.com/tickets.