The University of New Mexico Lobos men's basketball team took care of business on Wednesday, Nov. 5 when they faced off against the East Texas A&M University Lions.
The Lobos were in the driver's seat from the very beginning, making sure there was no chance for the Lions to even make it a game. Combine that with a terrible performance by East Texas A&M, and the Lobos eased to a 76-54 victory.
This win marks the first as a Lobo for Head Coach Eric Olen, who was hired by UNM back in March of this year after the departure of former Head Coach Richard Pitino.
Olen’s Lobos went out there and did what they were supposed to do; while it was nothing too flashy, they showcased a good brand of team basketball as everyone was dishing the ball around.
“We had good (ball) movement, and every time that we did that I felt our shot quality was pretty good,” Olen said.
The first half was a good sign of things to come as the Lobos were unstoppable in the paint and jumped out to a 10 point lead early; a lead which would grow throughout the half as the Lions couldn’t buy a bucket.
The Lobos had 20 points in the paint in the first half, showing they were more than capable of scoring down low. East Texas A&M had a less than favorable first half outing. The Lions shot 5-25 from the field, not being able to make a single three-pointer going 0-14, and trailed 34-14 going into halftime.
Coming out of the break, the Lobos brought the same energy, playing team first basketball and scoring at will down low. There were a few sloppy moments of play throughout the half but nothing that would cost the Lobos.
East Texas A&M would play much better in the second half scoring 40 points but their obsession and inability to shoot the three ball hurt them the most, though they did eventually make a 3-pointer after missing their first 20 shots from deep, ending 5-34 on the night.
The Lobo bench was a big highlight for the team in the second half. Guards Uriah Tennete and Tajavis Miller would lead the way for the team off the bench. Tennete finished the game with 14 points, helping lead the team in scoring alongside another freshman guard, Jake Hall, who also had 14. Tennete would also tack on five assists and three steals. Miller left The Pit second on the team in scoring, with 11 points on four of five in shooting. Miller was dialed in from three, shooting 3-3 from behind the arc on the night.
“Just seeing the first one go in that was the main thing, gotta keep the confidence to keep on shooting it,” Miller said.
The Lobos proved to just be the better team and when it was all over, Lobo fans were treated to the first win of the Olen era.
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The Lobos will be back home at The Pit this week when they take on the Mavericks from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Rodney Prunty is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @rprunty05
