The University of New Mexico Lobo men’s basketball team, after a home victory against the California State University, Fresno Bulldogs, aimed to defend their undefeated home record versus the University of Nevada, Reno Wolf Pack. The battle was tough on Saturday, Jan. 24, but in the end UNM pulled away late with a 80-73 victory.
Lobo forward Tomislav Buljan only had two points in the first half but proved to be a force in the game, finishing with a double-double of 11 points and 15 rebounds.
“Sometimes you gotta be patient,” Bulijan said. “I feel like sometimes even when things are not going well, keep it up, another play, just forget have a short memory and you see at the end everything can come.”
UNM trailed early, but it was not long before taking their first lead after an 8-2 run capped off by guard Jake Hall. The Lobos would go on to lead at halftime 36-35, but had plenty to clean up, as Nevada ultimately finished the first half on a 9-4 run. Lobo guard Uriah Tenette demonstrated a solid first half, leading the team with nine points.
UNM started off the second half slow, as the Wolf Pack went on a 9-0 run to take a 44-36 lead, but the Lobos found a way to respond with Hall’s two three-pointers. The Pit went back to rocking for the Lobos, who went on a 8-0 run to take their first lead of the second half following another three-pointer by Hall.
Off the bench, Lobo center JT Rock was a bright spot with 11 points, four rebounds and two blocks in just under nine minutes on the court.
“It’s really great to be in such an environment like this,” Rock said. ”I would say it’s really easy to feed off of it. I like to be in moments like that.”
The Lobos grinded it out to leave The Pit with a 80-73 victory, putting them in a tie for second place in the Mountain West with Utah State University at 7-2 in the conference.
“I think we’re playing pretty good basketball right now. We feel like we can continue to get better,” UNM Head Coach Eric Olen said. “We feel like we’re kind of getting better every time out.”
After two straight victories at home, the Lobos will play in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Tuesday, Jan. 27, versus the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Rebels.
Alex Joe is a freelance videographer for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @DailyLobo
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