Aggies Snap Lobo Home Win Streak with Dominant Second Half
Photo courtesy of UNM Athletics
The New Mexico men’s basketball team suffered its first home loss of the season Wednesday night, falling 86–66 to Utah State as the Aggies snapped the Lobos’ 23-game winning streak at The Pit.
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Utah State improved to 19–3 overall and 10–2 in Mountain West play, while New Mexico dropped to 18–5 (9–3 MW) after being outplayed in the second half. The Aggies came to Albuquerque not to be intimidated—they came to show what they could do, and they did.
Second Half Turns the Tide
The first half was competitive. Both teams traded baskets early, tied at 5–5, before Utah State pulled slightly ahead. New Mexico responded with energy, going on a 7–0 run and eventually tying the game at 29–29. The Lobos briefly regained the lead late in the half, but the Aggies finished stronger, taking a 36–33 edge into halftime.
After the break, Utah State seized control. The Aggies extended the lead to 49–38 within four minutes and then used a 12–2 run midway through the half to push the margin to 64–44. New Mexico trimmed it briefly to 14, but Utah State closed the game out for a 20-point win.
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How Utah State dominated the second half:
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Outscored New Mexico 50–33
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Shot over 50%, attacking the rim efficiently
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Controlled the boards, limiting UNM’s second-chance opportunities
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Committed fewer turnovers while converting UNM mistakes into points
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Balanced offense that kept the Lobos’ defense guessing
Shutting Down Jake Hall
Freshman guard Jake Hall had a strong start, scoring nine points with two three-pointers before halftime. Over his previous nine games, Hall had been one of the league’s most dangerous shooters, averaging 4.1 made threes per game at 57.8%.
Utah State made it a priority to disrupt him. Hall scored just one point in the second half and attempted only one three-pointer.
“We just weren’t gonna let Jake Hall beat us,” Calhoun said. “There was gonna be awareness everywhere he was.”
The Aggies’ defensive focus on Hall rippled through the rest of the game. New Mexico went 0-for-7 from three-point range in the second half, finishing 3-for-13 overall—tying its lowest three-point output of the season and marking its third-worst shooting percentage in a game this year.
What Went Wrong for UNM
New Mexico struggled to match Utah State’s speed and physicality. The Aggies used ball screens effectively, pulling UNM’s bigs out of the paint and creating driving lanes and perimeter opportunities. Even when the Lobos forced stops, turnovers and rushed shot selection prevented them from mounting a comeback. The second-half collapse highlighted a lack of rhythm, spacing, and execution when it mattered most.
Lobo Leaders
Despite the loss:
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Tomislav Buljan led UNM with 17 points and 7 rebounds
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Tajavis Miller added 11 points
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Jake Hall and Uriah Tenette each scored 10 points
Hall’s first-half scoring kept the Lobos close early, but Utah State’s adjustments neutralized him after the break.
“It was a disappointing result. I thought the crowd was awesome and I wish we had been at their level tonight. I thought we got outplayed and outcoached in every phase. It was not the result we wanted, but we have to respond with another good team coming in here on Saturday.” – Eric Olen
Looking Ahead
This loss tightens the Mountain West title race and underscores how slim the margins are at the top of the conference. New Mexico must rebound quickly, improve second-half execution, and regain the defensive spark that makes The Pit one of college basketball’s toughest venues.
For Utah State, this wasn’t just a road win—it was a statement performance, showing they can dominate both the game and the atmosphere against a top opponent.
The season isn’t over for the Lobos. With every game now crucial, they will answer this loss when they rematch Utah State on March 7 in Logan, Utah, and potentially again in the Mountain West Tournament in Las Vegas.
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That rematch will be about more than revenge—it will be about growth, positioning, and proving who UNM is by season’s end. For Lobo fans, there is still plenty to believe in.
