UNM Shines Against Overmatched NMHU in 97–47 Win
New Mexico’s Tajavis Miller (2) shoots a three pointer on December 1, 2025 against New Mexico Highlands University at The Pit in Albuquerque, NM. Photo: Chris Rodarte/Game Pass Media
UNM men’s basketball unleashed its most explosive outing of the year on Monday against an inferior opponent, setting season highs in points and assists while firing a school-record 50 three-pointers in a 97–47 rout of Division II New Mexico Highlands (0-8) in The Pit.
“I thought our shot selection was good,” Olen said. “Obviously there’s a lot of threes there. (NMHU) attacks the basketball when you drive it so it was important for us to talk about not missing the moment, catching the help coming towards you and giving the basketball up. The sharing it and the assist numbers are a byproduct of that…”
Ninety-seven points and 26 assists were both season highs for UNM, while the Lobos shot an impressive 38% from the 3-point line considering the high volume.
Freshman Jake Hall picked up right where he left off against Alabama State, leading the team with 21 points on 5-8 shooting from the 3-point line. He became the first freshman since Kenny Thomas to have back-to-back 20 point games.
Fellow freshman forward Timéo Pons also got into the scoring column for the first time this season and scored 11 points on 3-7 shooting from deep.
Hall joined the media during Pons’ post-game interview, and asked Pons how it felt to be the second best shooter on the team.
Six Lobos scored in double figures, and eight different players knocked down a 3-pointer.
On the defensive side, UNM set the tone with ball pressure and live-ball turnovers that led to some highlight real material, like this alley-oop from Pons to Kevin Patton Jr.
The Lobos scored 35 points off 19 New Mexico Highland’s turnovers, while holding the Cowboys to 30% shooting from the field and 16% shooting from the 3-point line.
“I thought we did a nice job at the point of attack (with) Deyton (Albury) and Uriah (Tenette) pressuring the ball in the full court and making guys uncomfortable,” said UNM head coach Eric Olen.
NMHU’s leading scorer was former Eldorado High School guard Caileb Parham, who finished with 9 points. It was the first time UNM had not allowed a double-figure scorer in a game this season.
The Lobos playing without their leading rebounder Tomislav Buljan, outrebounded New Mexico Highlands 50-35. JT Rock led the team with 9 rebounds while also scoring a career-high 10 points.
…”Attacking the glass like (Tomislav) does, he does a great job of it, so trying to take what he does and continue that level when I get in the game so its consistent and its not a big-drop off when I come in,” Rock said.
All 11 Lobos who played grabbed a rebound, and UNM scored 18 second-chance points.
Buljan Update: Buljan was dressed for the game and did go through warm-ups with the team. Per UNM’s Associate Athletic Director of Communications Frank Mercogliano, Buljan would have been available to play tonight if needed.
“We had a conversation this morning, Olen said. “He did a little workout to see how it feels, we had a conversation, and we just felt like (we’d) err on the side of caution.”
Buljan is expected to play against Santa Clara on Saturday.
Deyton Albury (1) drives the baseline against NMHU’s Marcus Pierce (0) in Monday nights game at The Pit. Photo: Chris Rodarte/Game Pass Media
