UNM extends home winning streak to 16 with blowout victory over NM Highlands

UNM guard Jake Hall got his game-high 21 points in 16 minutes of play.

Antonio Chol and Uriah Tenette both got their 12 points in under 20 minutes.

UNM's 97-47 blowout win over visiting Division II New Mexico Highlands on Monday wasn't much in terms of entertainment value for the generously announced Pit crowd of 10,164.

But it did plenty for the continued development of the Lobos, especially several of those who haven't been getting the big minutes in a season the program is implementing an entirely new system.

"(I'm) pleased with all of them, really, because to me it's about the approach," said UNM Lobos head coach Eric Olen. "It's easy to overlook games like this and give away an opportunity for our team to take a step. And I thought we took a step in the right direction."

Senior transfer guard Tajavis Miller, who hadn't played in the previous two games, scored 10 points off the bench and hit three 3-pointers; freshman guard Timeo Pons, who hadn't scored this season and had appeared in just two games, scored 11 off the bench and hit three 3-pointers; and 7-1 sophomore center JT Rock added 10 points, nine rebounds and two blocks for the Lobos, who improved to 6-2 overall and extended their home win streak to 16 — sixth longest in the country.

In the case of Rock, the Iowa State transfer who was averaging 7.7 minutes per game entering Monday, his career high in points, rebounds and minutes played (17:15) came while UNM's starting big man and leading rebounder, Tomislav Buljan, was held out after turning his ankle in the closing moments of last week's win over Alabama State.

"Regardless of the game, I take the same approach — do what I need to do to stay mentally and physically focused and just be available for for any time that our team needs," Rock said.

Led by Rock, the Lobos outrebounded the outclassed Cowboys 50-35 and UNM scored 18 second-chance points off 15 offensive rebounds.

Olen primarily let the reserves run the offense against Highlands. And the offense NMHU was giving the Lobos turned into a lot of open 3-pointers.

UNM hit 19-of-50 — yes, 50 — 3-point attempts. The Lobos also scored 35 points off 19 NMHU turnovers.

UNM assisted on 26 of 29 made field goals and Hall's 21 points marks the first time a Lobo freshman has had back-to-back 20-point games (he scored 24 in last week's win over Alabama State) since Kenny Thomas in the 1995-96 season.

The Cowboys played 15 players, led in scoring by Caileb Parham's nine points. NMHU was held to 30.3% shooting (16-of-53) in the game.

No Tomislav

Buljan was suited up on Monday, went through pregame warmups and didn't appear to even be limping. But being that it was a Division II opponent, his not playing was not a surprise. Olen said he expects Buljan to be ready for Saturday's game against Santa Clara.

In his place in the starting lineup, though clearly not a position-for-position swap, was Tenette, the 5-11 point guard.

While Chol started as the team's "five," most of the game's minutes at the center position went to Rock and Milos Vicentic (22 minutes).

Familiar faces

Several New Mexico high school players are on the NMHU roster. Two in particular got a lot of attention from fans in the Pit.

Ibrahima Sacko was on the Lobos roster last season, averaging 1.2 points and 1.2 rebounds in 19 games.

Against UNM, Sacko played 22 minutes with three points and three rebounds. On one missed 3-pointer, some in UNM's student section chanted "Same old Sacko!"

Latavious Morris, the 5-foot-8 starting point guard for the Cowboys, got big cheers from the crowd, but particularly from a group of his former teammates from Atrisco Heritage Academy High School and ABC Prep.

Morris finished with seven points in 24 minutes.

UNM vs. NM Highlands: Photos