Photo Courtesy of UNM Atletics
Lobos Earn First Top-25 Road Victory Since 2023
Mountain West Connection – Postgame Report
By Roger A. Holien
Preview
RICHMOND, Va. – In what may stand as one of the signature victories of the Eric Olen era, New Mexico traveled
across the country and stunned VCU 81–78 on Wednesday night inside the always-hostile Siegel Center.
With the win, the Lobos (8–2) extended their winning streak to five games while handing the Rams (6–4) their first home non-conference loss in two years. It also marked:
- UNM’s first true road win in the Eastern Time Zone since the 2012–13 season.
- Their first top-50 KenPom non-conference road victory since 2022–23.
In a building known for swallowing visiting teams whole, the Lobos showed poise, toughness, and a level of maturity that separated them from VCU in the moments that mattered most.
Team Outlooks
New Mexico Lobos
New Mexico won this game through resilience. They absorbed VCU’s trademark pressure, survived multiple Ram scoring runs, and produced arguably their most complete road performance of the season.
Olen leaned heavily on his depth and on younger players—particularly freshman standout Jake Hall—who embraced the environment rather than shrinking from it. Defensively, the Lobos were physical, disciplined, and particularly sharp in the final minutes.
VCU Rams
VCU looked every bit like the aggressive, disruptive force they traditionally are at home. The Rams forced turnovers, ran in transition, and fed off the energy of the Siegel Center crowd. They built several leads and erased a double-digit deficit with a furious 10–0 run late in the second half.
But their final possession fell short, and New Mexico’s late-game execution—especially rebounding and free-throw shooting—sealed the upset.
Game Analysis
VCU stormed out to a 13–6 lead four minutes into the game, but New Mexico quickly found its composure. The Rams rebuilt a nine-point advantage with six minutes left in the half and took a 46–41 lead into the break.
Freshman guard Jake Hall kept UNM afloat with 14 first-half points, showing once again why he has quickly become one of the Mountain West’s most exciting young players.
The second half, however, belonged to the Lobos.
UNM erupted with a 9–1 run to take its first lead at 50–47, later stretching that advantage to 55–50. Both teams traded punches until New Mexico delivered the potential knockout blow: a 14–0 run that gave the Lobos a 75–65 lead with nine minutes remaining.
VCU responded with a 10–0 burst of their own to tie the game at 75–75 with under four minutes left, setting up a tense finish.
UNM remained composed:
- With 2:30 left, Hall buried a cold-blooded three.
- Tenette added two vital free throws to extend the lead to 80–75.
- VCU cut the margin to 80–78 with ten seconds left and drew up a final shot.
But Tomislav Buljan secured the critical rebound, was fouled with 1.8 seconds left, and hit a free throw to clinch the 81–78 victory.
Player Profiles (and How They Performed)
New Mexico Lobos
Jake Hall – G
A star continues to rise in Albuquerque. Hall tied his career high with 24 points, logging his fourth 20-point performance of the season. He now matches the Lobo freshman record—held by Kenny Thomas, Charles Smith, and Phil Smith—for most 20-point games in a freshman season.
Deyton Albury – G
Albury brought physicality on both ends and attacked the rim with confidence. He finished with 14 points and delivered one of his most complete performances of the season.
Tomislav Buljan – F
Buljan contributed 11 points, but his biggest contribution was securing the game-winning rebound in the closing seconds. His toughness and versatility continue to anchor Olen’s frontcourt.
JT Rock – C
Rock wasn’t in the spotlight statistically, but his rim protection and size helped keep VCU from controlling the paint. His presence altered shots all night and steadied the Lobos defensively.
What to Expect Next
This win checks every December résumé box:
- Quad 1 road victory
- Against an elite defensive system
- Inside one of the most challenging home environments in college basketball
- By a team relying heavily on freshmen and sophomores
The Lobos look far more equipped to handle pressure than they were a season ago. Their increased interior toughness, deeper guard rotation, and Hall’s rapid emergence as a go-to scorer all point toward a team that could legitimately contend in the Mountain West.
With conference play approaching, New Mexico is showing the signs of a group that can weather adversity, close games on the road, and build a tournament-worthy résumé.
Quote of the Night – Head Coach Eric Olen
“I’m extremely proud of our group for their toughness and fight. Against a very good basketball team on the road, it would’ve been easy to get down on ourselves when the lead slipped away, but we kept moving to the next possession and made the plays to get out of here with a win. Anytime you have a Quad 1 game, you want to give yourself a chance—and we did that tonight.”
Future Prediction
If New Mexico continues to show this level of toughness, composure, and late-game maturity, it is positioning itself as a top-tier contender for the Mountain West title and a strong NCAA Tournament résumé.
Tonight’s win was more than a quality road victory—it was a statement to the Mountain West and the rest of college basketball.
