After dropping their first preseason game against Washington State University on the road, the University of New Mexico Lobos returned to The Pit for their first home appearance of the year.
Though they showed preseason jitters and had a few sloppy plays, the Lobos took control early and cruised to a 64-54 win over the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks.
On Thursday, Oct. 30, the Lobos got off to a hot start thanks to the night’s star, guard and forward Antonio Chol, who broke the ice with an early three-pointer and didn’t let up as he scored all nine of the game’s first points.
“It was just a confidence thing. They probably didn’t think I would shoot with that much confidence,” Chol said.
The Lobos didn’t look back from this early lead as they spent all but the opening 46 seconds with the lead. The first Lobo not named Chol to get on the board was guard Chris Howell, who went on to lead the team in assists with five, and guard Jake Hall, who led the bench with 12 points.
About halfway through the first half, the Lumberjacks’ had their best attempt at a comeback when they had a 8-0 run highlighted by seven points from NAU’s Isaiah Shaw, aided by the Lumberjack’s defense that kept the Lobos off the board for approximately four minutes.
Chol checked back into the game, promptly hit a three, and got a block on the other end of the floor, ending the Lumberjacks run. The Lobos would outscore the Lumberjacks 10-5 for the first half’s final six minutes and twenty-six seconds, giving them a 29-19 halftime lead.
Those were agonizing final six-and a-half minutes for fans of field goal efficiency as the Lobos, who started five for their first eight, ended the half seven-for-23.
“We had some good looks that just didn’t go, but to me, the shot selection and decision making is where we really need to grow,” Lobo Head Coach Eric Olen said.
The Lobos held NAU to 20.7% shooting from the field. They also forced 11 turnovers that contributed to holding the Lumberjacks to under 20 points in the first half; however, the Lobos defense would not look nearly as good in the second half.
The second half was a back-and-forth affair, with each team scoring exactly 35 points. Both teams massively picked up their efficiency, as NAU’s field goal percentage notably rose to 44.8% and out-rebounded UNM in the second half, winning that battle 41-35. They also stopped turning the ball over as much, with just five turnovers in the second half.
“That just goes with execution on the defensive end,” Howell said. “We just got to pick up our talk.”
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Despite answering for this defensive sluggishness postgame, the Lobos seemed unfazed by the Lumberjacks’ increase in production. They also upped their shooting game, as their field goal percentage increased to 41.7%.
Chol continued to lead the way with another eight points and ended leading the team in scoring with 20 points.
“That’s something (Chol) can do day in and day out,” Howell said.
Chol would go down hard late in the game chasing a block, but all seemed well as he would shake it off and stay in the game.
The Lobos held on in those final minutes, and rode to a 64-54 victory.
This was a debut at The Pit for Olen and his team, and he is excited for what’s coming next, Olen said.
“Feeling Lobo Nation was a lot of fun for all of us, we’re excited to build on it and we can’t wait to get started in the regular season,” Olen said.
The regular season starts at The Pit on Wednesday, Nov. 5, against the East Texas A&M University Lions.
Marley Herndon is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @Dailylobo
