ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Interstat) — The New Mexico Lobos defeated the San Jose State Spartans 88-65 in a Mountain West Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at The Pit. A crowd of 12,785 saw the Lobos improve to 10-2 overall while the Spartans fell to 5-7. New Mexico never trailed, building a 41-28 halftime lead and extending it after the break. The Lobos’ balanced attack proved too much for San Jose State, which got a team-high performance from Adrian Myers. New Mexico, a 13.5-point pregame favorite, covered the spread as the total points went over the projected line. The Lobos shot efficiently from the floor to secure the convincing conference victory.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Interstat) — The New Mexico Lobos used a balanced and efficient offensive attack to overpower the San Jose State Spartans 88-65 in a Mountain West Conference men’s basketball game Saturday night at a sold-out The Pit. A crowd of 12,785 watched the Lobos (10-2, 1-0) open conference play with a decisive victory, pulling away in the second half after establishing control before halftime. The Spartans (5-7, 0-1), led by a game-high 27 points from Colby Garland, hung close for a stretch but could not match New Mexico’s depth or sustain their offensive execution against the home team’s pressure. The most important stretch of the game came late in the first half, when New Mexico transformed a narrow lead into a comfortable cushion. With San Jose State trailing 25-22 after a Garland jumper with just over six minutes remaining, the Lobos unleashed a 16-6 run to close the period. The surge was fueled by Serbian forward Milos Vicentic, who scored eight points during the run, including a 3-pointer and a layup. Deyton Albury orchestrated the offense with multiple assists, and a stepback jumper by Jake Hall just before the buzzer sent the Lobos into the locker room with a 41-28 advantage. That 13-point halftime margin proved insurmountable for the Spartans. New Mexico’s lead never dipped below double digits in the second half, as the Lobos consistently answered any modest San Jose State push with a scoring burst. The Spartans’ Garland, a guard from Magnolia, Arkansas, did his best to keep his team within reach, scoring 17 of his points after halftime. But every time San Jose State threatened to cut the lead to single digits, New Mexico responded. A key sequence occurred midway through the second half. After a Garland 3-pointer brought San Jose State to within 57-49, the Lobos scored on their next three possessions. Antonio Chol of Buffalo, New York, hit a 3-pointer, Hall converted a layup and a free throw, and JT Rock finished inside to push the lead back to 63-49, effectively halting the Spartans’ momentum. New Mexico’s offense was a model of distribution, with five players scoring in double figures. Vicentic was remarkably efficient, scoring 19 points in just 17 minutes off the bench. Hall, from Carlsbad, California, added 18 points, while Albury, a guard from Nassau, Bahamas, controlled the game with 10 points and seven assists. Uriah Tenette contributed 11 points and four assists, and Rock, the 7-foot-1 center from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, chipped in 11 points and several key defensive rebounds. For San Jose State, Garland’s 27-point effort on 30 minutes of action was the standout performance. Melvin Bell of Chicago added 12 points, and Pasha Goodarzi of Los Gatos, California, scored 11. The Spartans struggled to find consistent scoring beyond that trio and were hampered by 15 turnovers, which New Mexico converted into 19 points. The Lobos shot 50% from the field for the game and assisted on 22 of their 34 made baskets, showcasing a fluid offensive system. Defensively, they blocked five shots, with Chol and Tajavis Miller each recording two, and held San Jose State to 39% shooting. New Mexico, which entered the game as a heavy favorite according to analytics and betting markets, improved its record at The Pit this season to 8-0. San Jose State, coming off a close loss to Stanford, has now dropped two of its last three games. The Lobos will continue Mountain West play on the road at Boise State on Tuesday. San Jose State returns home to host San Diego State next Tuesday. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in San Jose on Jan. 31.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Interstat) — A surging New Mexico squad looks to continue its strong start when it hosts a San Jose State team seeking a signature road win in a Mountain West Conference men’s basketball matchup Saturday at The Pit. The Lobos (9-2) have won five straight, including a 75-59 victory over Florida Gulf Coast on Dec. 14. New Mexico has excelled at home, boasting a 7-0 record in Albuquerque this season behind balanced scoring and staunch defense. San Jose State (5-6) arrives after a narrow 86-82 home loss to Stanford on Dec. 13, a game in which the Spartans rallied from a large deficit but fell short. The Spartans have shown offensive firepower, averaging 86 points in their last two wins, but consistency has been an issue. The matchup features a compelling duel at guard. San Jose State’s Colby Garland enters as one of the conference’s most dynamic players, averaging 20.3 points and 5.2 assists over his last six games. He scored 27 points in an overtime win over Long Beach State on Dec. 9 and had 20 points and nine assists against Stanford. New Mexico counters with guard Luke Haupt, a steady facilitator for the Lobos’ offense. Haupt is coming off a seven-point, six-assist performance against Florida Gulf Coast and has provided reliable playmaking during the win streak. The Lobos’ resume includes an early-season road win at Mississippi State. Their two losses came against Nebraska and in-state rival New Mexico State. San Jose State’s victories have come largely at home, with road tests at Michigan State, Utah and UC Santa Barbara resulting in defeats. History and environment favor New Mexico. The Lobos are 7-0 at The Pit this season, a venue long known for its raucous atmosphere. San Jose State has not played since Dec. 13, giving them extended preparation time, while New Mexico will have had six days off. This game opens the conference schedule for both teams. New Mexico begins a tough stretch with a visit to Boise State looming on Dec. 30. San Jose State hosts San Diego State on Dec. 30. Tipoff is set for Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, at The Pit (University Arena).