Lobos Extend Unbeaten Streak with Stunning 82–68 Triumph Over UC Riverside—What’s Fueling Their Dominance?

Photo Courtesy of UNM Athletic Department

Lobos Remain Unbeaten with 82–68 Win Over UC Riverside in the PIT

The New Mexico Lobos continued their perfect season and extended their home winning streak to 14 games — the sixth longest active streak in the country — with an 82–68 victory over UC Riverside Tuesday night at The Pit in Albuquerque.

Complete Team Effort

With an energetic crowd watching, the Lobos did everything right, using a balanced attack to secure the win. Chris Howell led all scorers with 15 points and also dished out five assists.

Antonio Chol scored 14 points, and Jake Hall also scored 14. The Lobos had six players reach double figures, demonstrating their ability to be unselfish with the ball, which has contributed to their depth.

UNM was missing starting point guard Deyton Albury and key freshman reserve Uriah Tenette, and by the second half, it appeared UC Riverside was feeling the effects of New Mexico’s high altitude.

UC Riverside kept it close throughout the first half and was down 36–32 at halftime after Andrew Henderson scored 27 points.

However, midway through the second half, the Lobos began to pull away with a 10–0 run driven by Chris Howell’s playmaking and Antonio Chol’s outside shooting. After the run, the Lobos were in control and stayed that way for the rest of the game.

Highlanders Hot from Deep

Thanks to a blazing 3-point performance by UC Riverside, the Highlanders stayed competitive until the Lobos opened up the game in the second half.

The Highlanders went 14-for-27 on three-pointers (51.9%), with their Division II transfer, Andrew Henderson, playing a key role in the high number of attempts.

Henderson scored 27 points and made 7-of-13 three-pointers. The Highlanders’ three-point shooting challenged a New Mexico defense that had shut down the first two teams it faced, both of which combined to make only 8-of-59 three-point shots (13.6%).

The Lobos were without their top backcourt duo, Tristan Albury and Donovan Tenette, and they felt the absence of the pair early on.

The absence of the duo caused some issues for New Mexico’s offense, especially in getting into the paint quickly, which led to more perimeter shots than usual.

When De’Undrae Perteete hit a corner three to tie the game at 53–53 with 11:30 remaining, the 11,689 fans inside The Pit started to get restless.

The Highlanders came back from a second-half deficit and seemed to steal momentum.

That’s when the Lobos hit their championship stride. Fueled by JT Haupt’s energy, Chris Howell’s leadership, and Tomislav Buljan’s toughness inside — including his 11-point, 11-rebound double-double — the Lobos went on a 14–0 run, scoring 11 points from attacks at the rim or second-chance opportunities.

The crowd erupted as the Lobos took back control of the game, transforming a close match into another commanding victory.

Domination Inside

The Lobos’ focus on attacking the paint and asserting physical presence paid off in the second half, as they out-scored UC Riverside 52–10 in the paint—the most significant margin against any Division I opponent in over ten years.

In addition, New Mexico shot an incredible 62.5% in the second half, their highest mark of 60% or better since last year’s win over Utah State.

New Mexico’s ball-handling was equally impressive, as the Lobos committed only five turnovers—their fewest since the 2024 Mountain West Tournament final against San Diego State.

Coach Olen’s Thoughts

“I thought we played well, especially in the second half,” said head coach Eric Olen. “We made plays, got stops, and got out in transition. The crowd really helped us tonight. UC Riverside played well and pushed us — and that’s exactly the type of challenge that allows us to grow as a team.”

Key Statistics

Chris Howell: 15 points, five assists

Antonio Chol: 14 points, two three-pointers

Jake Hall: 14 points, 4-of-5 free throws

Tomislav Buljan: 11 points, 11 rebounds

Andrew Henderson (UCR): 27 points, seven three-pointers

Osiris Grady (UCR): 14 points, eight rebounds

The Pit Factor

As is often the case at The Pit, the venue created an electric atmosphere as the crowd cheered each Lobos run. Highlights like Chris Howell’s thunderous dunk and the 14–0 run intensified the excitement, sending fans into a frenzy.

New Mexico’s 3–0 start solidifies its reputation as a well-rounded, challenging, and capable team, especially on its home turf.

UC Riverside (2–1) displayed tremendous grit and 3-point shooting skill but couldn’t match the Lobos’ second-half surge.

After earning its third straight win, New Mexico will aim to keep its momentum going in its next non-conference game before conference play begins.

With balance, physicality, and The Pit as their home court advantage, this team seems to be gaining ground as a legitimate contender.

What has become very obvious to any fan watching this game is the team’s remarkable talent, and when one player isn’t available, another steps up on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.

The Lobos hit the road this Saturday as they head to Las Cruces to face New Mexico State in the annual Rio Grande Rivalry. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., with live coverage available on ESPN+ at the Pan American Center in what promises to be a very exciting interstate rivalry game in the Land of Enchantment.