Gonzaga Routes New Mexico State, 109-68

Gonzaga pulled away after halftime with a decisive second-half surge over New Mexico State at the McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane.

Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Basketball

Gonzaga defeated New Mexico State 109-68 on Saturday afternoon at the McCarthey Athletic Center. New Mexico State shot 55.6% from the field in the first half and made all nine of its free-throw attempts, but Gonzaga led 47-42 at halftime and opened the second half with an 8-0 run.

Why it matters

The result gives Gonzaga, ranked No. 15, a lopsided early-season win at home in Spokane. For New Mexico State, which is now 1-1 on the season, it shows how quickly a close first half can slip away against a stronger opponent.

Gonzaga shot 61.8% from the field after halftime, compared with New Mexico State's 55.6% first-half mark. New Mexico State made all nine of its first-half free throws, while Mark Lavrenov led all scorers with 19 points on 9-of-10 free-throw shooting.

The players

Gonzaga University

A private Jesuit university in Spokane, Washington, whose men's basketball program is a longtime national contender and regular postseason participant.

New Mexico State University

A public research university in Las Cruces, New Mexico, whose men's basketball program competes in the Western Athletic Conference.

The details

Mark Lavrenov scored 12 first-half points for New Mexico State, and DJ Dudley hit a 3-pointer with just over a minute left in the half. Gonzaga opened the second half with an 8-0 run and limited New Mexico State to six second-half field goals.

• Saturday, November 7, 2026: Gonzaga defeats New Mexico State 109-68 in Spokane.

Season Trajectory

Gonzaga's strong early-season showing continues a pattern of dominant home performances under Mark Few, who has built the program into one of the most consistent national contenders. For New Mexico State, the loss to a ranked opponent offers a benchmark for a Western Athletic Conference team that must compete against elite competition.

Gonzaga's rotation depth showed up in the box score, with several players contributing to the lopsided margin. Fantasy managers tracking Mark Lavrenov's scoring and free-throw production should note his 19-point, 9-for-10 performance.

The takeaway

Early-season home results can show how a team responds to adjustments at halftime, and Gonzaga's 8-0 opening run to the second half illustrates how quickly momentum can shift. Readers following the season should watch whether New Mexico State can sustain first-half efficiency against stronger opponents.