The Lobos men’s basketball team aimed to get back on track after a blowout loss to Utah State University as they hosted the Boise State University Broncos in The Pit.
But in the end, their defense was not up to task again as the University of New Mexico lost 91-90 at home for their second straight defeat on Saturday, Feb. 7.
Lobos Head Coach Eric Olen was disappointed in the loss but proud of his team’s effort, he said.
“Any time we lose, it’s disappointing, specifically losing at home is disappointing. The crowd was amazing again, so it sort of adds to the disappointment when they bring it and we can’t come up with the result,” Olen said.
The battle started early with UNM taking a one-point lead, 13-12, following a three-point jumper by guard Uriah Tenette. Shortly after, the Lobos started to simmer as they went on a 9-0 run to build their lead to seven.
Lobo guard Luke Haupt demonstrated that sometimes a magical play is created out of desperation. He heaved an off-balanced, three-point jumper, just beating the shot clock to give the Lobos a 33-26 lead toward the end of the first half.
Haupt had himself a monster game with a career high 30 points, six rebounds and four assists.
“I had a good offensive game, doesn’t feel like it matters a whole lot right now, coming up short,” Haupt said.
Boise State went on a 17-9 run to close out the half and erase the Lobos’ seven-point lead before the scoring streak; the Lobos trailed 43-42 at the break.
Lobo guard Deyton Albury woke up to join the party in the second half, scoring four straight points to tie the game up at 46 a-piece within the first two minutes. The Broncos started to give UNM trouble, going on a 17-8 run as the game turned to catch-up in the second half for UNM. Fortunately for the Lobos, a three-point jumper by Lobo guard Jake Hall tied it up 80-80 with approximately two minutes to go, injecting life into The Pit.
Efficient free throw shooting from Boise iced the game, despite multiple crunch-time threes from the Lobos. The Broncos only missed a single shot from the line, going 26 of 27 on the night.
The Lobos, now on a two-game losing skid, look for answers to get back on track as they head on the road to Phoenix to play the Grand Canyon University Lopes on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
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“I expect us to respond appropriately,” Olen said. “Prepare the way we’ve been preparing with focus and have two good days of practice and go and play good basketball.”
Alex Joe is a freelance videographer for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @DailyLobo
