Lobos Rout Utah Tech 100-60 in Opener
New Mexico opened its season with a 100-60 win over Utah Tech at The Pit in Albuquerque.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Basketball
New Mexico defeated Utah Tech 100-60 in the Lobos' season opener on Monday, November 2, 2026. Jake Hall led all scorers with 30 points before a crowd of 10,858 at The Pit.
Why it matters
The opening win gives the Lobos an early statement in their first game of the season, with a 23-2 second-half run pulling away from Utah Tech. The performance also showed a defense that forced 15 turnovers in the game.
The final box score shows New Mexico ahead 38-33 at halftime before a 23-2 run midway through the second half. Hall's 30 points, Uriah Tenette's 19 and Tunde Vahlberg Fasassi's 17 led a balanced scoring effort in which four Lobos reached double figures.
The players
Jake Hall
Jake Hall is a New Mexico Lobos guard who led all scorers with 30 points in the season opener.
University of New Mexico Lobos
The University of New Mexico Lobos are the men's basketball program of the University of New Mexico, competing in Albuquerque.
The details
New Mexico built a narrow 38-33 lead at halftime before a 23-2 run midway through the second half pushed the margin to 62-27. The Lobos forced 15 Utah Tech turnovers, including 10 steals, and converted them into 23 points. Chris Howell added five points, seven rebounds, four assists and five steals.
Timeline
Monday, November 2, 2026: New Mexico defeats Utah Tech 100-60 in the season opener.
Season Trajectory
The season-opening win at The Pit gives New Mexico an early home result against a Utah Tech team that struggled to score in the second half. The Lobos' balanced scoring and turnover pressure set a tone for the start of their campaign.
Petraitis's possible return Saturday would add a rotation option against Northern Arizona. Fans planning to attend should note the 10,858 crowd size from the opener at The Pit.
The takeaway
New Mexico's opener showed that forcing turnovers and getting production from multiple scorers can turn a close first half into a comfortable win. Watching how the rotation looks with Petraitis back will show whether that balance holds.
What happens next
Rytis Petraitis may return Saturday when New Mexico faces Northern Arizona.
Further reading
For more Lobos coverage, see Basketball news for Albuquerque.
