ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The New Mexico men’s basketball team wrapped up its non-conference schedule Sunday afternoon with a 75-59 win over Florida Gulf Coast at The Pit. The Lobos (9-2) ran their win streak to six, while the Eagles fell to 5-6 on the season.
Antonio Chol led the Lobos with 14 points, scoring 11 of the 14 after the break. Deyton Albury and Jake Hall each had 12 points, while JT Rock added 10 points off the bench.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Eagles took advantage of a slow offensive start from the Lobos to lead 9-0 after four minutes of action. FGCU led 12-6 at the midway point of the half as UNM started 3-17 from the floor, including 0-9 from deep. The Lobos used a 7-0 run to take their first lead of the game, 18-16, with 6:55 left. FGCU retook the lead, 21-18, with 5:00 left, but a 7-0 Lobo run gave them a 25-21 lead with 3:30 to go. UNM pushed the lead to 28-23 with 1:30 left before taking a 28-25 lead into the break. Albury and Chris Howell each had six first-half points to lead UNM.
In the second half, an early 7-0 Lobo run pushed the advantage 35-27 with 18:15 remaining. UNM took its first double-digit lead, 45-34, with 13:40 to play and continued a 7-0 run to lead 48-34 with 13:00 to go. The Lobos led 51-39 at the midway point of the half before the Eagles cut the margin to 51-44 with 8:45 to play. A 7-0 Lobo run gave them a 58-44 lead with 7:00 to go as they pushed the margin to 62-47 with 5:30 left. UNM would stretch the lead to 75-50 with 2:30 left with an 13-0 run, guided by a seven-point possession, due to an FGCU foul away from a made three and subsequent technical. FGCU ended the game on a 9-0 run to cut the final margin to 75-59.
LOBO NOTES
• New Mexico won its 18th straight home game (T-5th longest active streak in the nation)
• UNM remained unbeaten all-time against the Atlantic Sun (10-0 all-time)
• Chol led the Lobos in scoring for the first time this season, giving UNM six different leading scorers this season
• FGCU didn’t have a double-figure scorer (the second time this season UNM hasn’t allowed a double figure scorer – NM Highlands) and the first time FGCU didn’t have a double figure scorer in three seasons (vs. against eventual Final Four Florida Atlantic in 2022-23)
• UNM didn't allow a double figure scorer for the second time in two weeks (NM Highlands and FGCU), after the previous 10 seasons (2015-16 to 2024-25) had one combined (2024 vs. Nevada)
• UNM shot 30.0 percent from the floor (9-30) in the first half, their lowest shooting half of the season (previous low was 32.1 in the first half vs. Nebraska on Nov. 20)
QUOTABLE
“We are happy to get out of here with a win. It was a bit of a slow start and not an ideal finish, but I thought everything in between was pretty good, specifically defensively. Overall, it was a pretty solid non-conference schedule and we now have to get ready for the Mountain West.” – Eric Olen
UP NEXT
The Lobos will begin the defense of their Mountain West regular season title on Saturday when they host San Jose State. Game time is 7 p.m. and tickets are on sale now at GoLobos.com.