Lobos Dominate GCU 87-64, Securing Fourth Consecutive Victory
The New Mexico Lobos men’s basketball team achieved a significant milestone with an 87-64 victory over Grand Canyon University (GCU) on Tuesday night. This win marked their fourth consecutive triumph and extended their home winning streak to 21 games at The Pit in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Lobos now hold a record of 14-3 overall and 5-1 in the Mountain West Conference.
Lobos Dominate GCU in Strong Second Half
The game saw the Lobos break open a tie early in the second half, where they outscored the Lopes 47-24. Jake Hall led New Mexico with 22 points, setting a UNM freshman record by achieving his sixth 20-point game of the season. Uriah Tenette contributed 14 points, while JT Rock set personal bests of 13 points and four blocks. Additionally, Deyton Albury and Luke Haupt each added 11 points, resulting in five Lobos scoring in double figures.
Game Summary
The Lobos started strong, going on an 8-0 run to establish a 10-2 lead three and a half minutes into the game. After a scoreless stretch, New Mexico maintained a 10-7 lead with 12 minutes remaining in the first half. They extended this margin to 17-12 and pushed it further to 20-12. Despite GCU’s efforts to close the gap to 24-22 before halftime, Tenette’s buzzer-beater three-pointer secured a 38-33 lead for UNM.
Second Half Surge
In the second half, GCU managed to tie the game at 40-40, but the Lobos responded with a 10-1 run to take a nine-point advantage. Midway through the half, UNM increased their lead to double digits at 55-44. The game took a critical turn after GCU coach Bryce Drew was ejected, leading to an 8-0 Lobos run that extended their dominance to 64-49. The Lobos closed out the game with a decisive 23-point win.
Lobo Notes
- The Lobos’ 21-game home winning streak is tied for the fifth-longest active streak in the nation.
- This game marked the first instance this season where UNM never trailed.
- Jake Hall’s 20-point performance marks only the third instance by a UNM freshman to achieve multiple 20-point games in a season.
- JT Rock’s four blocks led the team for the season.
- UNM shot an impressive 58.3% from the field in the second half, continuing a streak of four consecutive games shooting over 50% in the second half.
Post-Game Remarks
Head coach Eric Olen praised the team’s performance and the enthusiastic crowd. “We just wanted to keep playing our game,” he noted, acknowledging how the energy from the fans helped drive the team’s success.
Looking Ahead
The Lobos will take on co-leaders San Diego State this weekend. The matchup is scheduled for 6 p.m. MT (5 p.m. PT) and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
