Lobos Dominate UT Arlington with Defense and Dunks, Win 74-56 at The Pit
Chris Howell (8) in UNM’s 74-56 win over UT Arlington in the Pit on Saturday. Howell finished the game with 6 points, 4 rebounds, 5 steals, and 3 assists. Photo courtesy of Chris Rodarte/Game Pass Media.
ALBUQUERQUE — Dunks and deflections propelled the UNM men’s basketball team to a 74-56 over UT Arlington in The Pit on Saturday.
Once again, the Lobos came out the gate struggling to shoot the basketball in the first half. The Lobos were 30% (10-30) and 14% (2-14) from the 3-point line.
Despite the early poor shooting, this team’s identity so far has been suffocating half-court defense that creates scoring opportunities on the offensive end. The Lobos converted 13 points of 14 UTA first half turnovers, using an 8-0 run on steals by Antonio Chol, Deyton Albury, and Chris Howell that pushed the lead to double digits for the Lobos at the 6:59 mark in the 1st period.
“I thought that was a really big moment in the game,” UNM mean’s basketball coach Eric Olen said in the post-game press conference. “Chol’s dunk…. we haven’t been here long, but that was the most the most we felt the crowd. I really thought that contributed to the next steal. You could feel that through the whole building.”
Buzzer Beater
It would not be a UNM vs. UT Arlington game if there was not at least one buzzer beater. Freshman Uriah Tenette beat the buzzer to give UNM a 31-19 lead going into the break.
Second Half Offense
UNM’s offense was more efficient in the second half. The Lobos shot 48% (13-27) and were 60% (9-15) from shots inside the arc.
UNM found ways to get the ball inside to “freshman” forward Tomislav Buljan, who finished with a team high 17 points, scoring 13 in the second half.
“I’ve been telling him, just keep playing, you’re good and it’s going to come,” said Chris Howell, who led the team with 5 assists and found Buljan a couple times for some easy dunks in the second half.
“Tomislav had it going today,” said senior guard Deyton Albury. “There’s some much attention in the paint, (it) makes it a little easier for him. It’s good to see him get going today.”
Albury scored 15 points and was 8-8 from the free line, reaching double figures for the first time in four games, including UNM’s two exhibition.
“Deyton’s playing the way we need him to play,” Olen said. His role is to put a lot of pressure on the basket and the rim, and he’s done that every time out… We want him to continue to be aggressive, and I think that’s his mindset every game.”
UNM did not have anyone else score in double figures, but showed balanced scoring with six players scoring 5 points or more: Jake Hall (9), Chol (7), Howell (6), and Tenette, Milos Vicentic, and JT Rock each with 5 points.
Tomislov Buljan (10) goes up for a layup UT Arlington’s Cameron Jackson (34) in the second half Saturday afternoon. Photo: Chris Rodarte/Game Pass Media
Overall, shooting numbers still continue to be a concern for UNM. The Lobos finished shooting 23-57 (40%) and 6-26 (23%) from the 3-point line.
“I think we have talented offensive players, I think we have good shooters who are going to make shots, Olen said. “As we get more and more comfortable, and we get shots within rhythm, I think our efficiency will increase for sure.”
The Lobos are in action on Tuesday, Nov. 11 against UC Riverside at 7:00 pm in The Pit.
