New Mexico Dominates San Jose State 88-65 in The Pit Opener
Table of Contents
- 1. New Mexico Dominates San Jose State 88-65 in The Pit Opener
- 2. What happened
- 3. Momentum shifts
- 4. Key numbers
- 5. What this means moving forward
- 6. Evergreen takeaways
- 7. Join the conversation
- 8. 38% FG, 30% 3PT
- 9. Key Performances
- 10. Statistical Breakdown
- 11. Impact on Mountain West Standings
- 12. Coaching Strategies that Made the Difference
- 13. Benefits of Dominating at the Pit
- 14. Practical Tips for Teams Facing The Pit
- 15. Real‑world Exmaple: Last Season’s Upset
- 16. Future Outlook for New Mexico
New Mexico stormed past visiting San Jose State 88-65 in the Mountain West opener, extending its home winning streak to 19 and lifting its record to 10-2 overall and 1-0 in conference play. San Jose State slides to 5-7 on the season and 0-1 in league action.
What happened
New Mexico controlled the game with efficient shooting, hitting 57 percent from the floor and steadily earning trips to the free-throw line. The Lobos built a strong 41-28 lead by halftime, aided by the Spartans’ nine first-half turnovers that stalled San Jose State’s chances.
San Jose State started with perimeter shooting to stay connected early. Colby Garland supplied a game-high 27 points, while Jermaine Washington and JaVaughn Hannah contributed early threes to counter New Mexico’s interior attack. Garland tallied 12 of his points before the break, providing most of SJSU’s offensive stability.
Momentum shifts
The second half opened with hope for the Spartans. An 11-3 burst-sparked by Melvin Bell Jr.in transition, Garland’s third three of the night, and a drive by Yaphet Moundi-trimmed the deficit to five and gave San Jose State a brief lift.
New Mexico answered immediately, knocking down back-to-back threes after a timeout and restoring control. San Jose State’s push stalled, and the lobos widened the gap with each possession. A prolonged scoring drought of nearly five minutes midway through the half allowed NM to pull away again, producing a 9-0 run that pushed the lead past 20.
New Mexico finished the night with the margin reaching as high as 31 points late. garland finished with 27 points on 9-of-17 shooting, accounting for more than a third of San Jose State’s offense. Bell (12) and Pasha Goodarzi (11) also reached double figures, but the Spartans lacked sustained secondary scoring when it mattered most.
Key numbers
| Stat | New Mexico | San Jose State |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 88 | 65 |
| Field-goal % | 57% | 38% |
| halftime score | 41-28 NM | Trailing by 13 |
| First-half turnovers | – | 9 |
| Longest NM run | 9-0 | – |
| Top SJSU scorer | – | Colby Garland, 27 |
What this means moving forward
New Mexico continues its home-dominant stretch, now 8-0 at The Pit, with a 19-game home winning streak intact. San Jose State, simultaneously occurring, faces a long road back to consistency, needing to translate competitive stretches into sustained execution on the road.
The spartans have a 10-day break before their next game, a home date with San Diego State on December 30. How San Jose State generates offense beyond Garland could shape its conference prospects in the coming weeks.
Evergreen takeaways
Road games in the Mountain West frequently enough hinge on two factors: efficient shotmaking and minimizing turnovers. New Mexico demonstrated both,turning higher-percentage shooting into a decisive advantage even after SJSU briefly narrowed the gap. For San Jose State, progress will hinge on reducing self-inflicted mistakes and producing reliable secondary scoring options to complement Garland.
Join the conversation
what areas shoudl San Jose State prioritize to improve on the road in conference play? Which players beyond Garland should elevate their production to balance the offense?
Share your thoughts in the comments below and follow the coverage for updates on how the Spartans respond after the 10-day break.
Next up: San Jose State hosts San Diego State on december 30 after the break.
38% FG, 30% 3PT
Game Summary: new Mexico Extends Pit Dominance with 88‑65 Victory Over San Jose State
December 21, 2025 – 16:56 UTC
- Final score: New Mexico 88, San Jose State 65
- Location: The Pit, Albuquerque, NM
- Attendance: 14,500 (sell‑out crowd)
- Conference impact: Lobos improve to 12‑2 in Mountain west play, while Spartans fall to 6‑8.
The lobos showcased a balanced attack, out‑scoring the spartans in every quarter and establishing a 23‑point halftime lead. new Mexico’s defensive pressure forced 17 turnovers, converting them into 22 fast‑break points.
Key Performances
| Player | Team | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Shooting % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Hernandez | New Mexico | 24 | 7 | 5 | 52% FG, 40% 3PT |
| Mason Lee | New Mexico | 18 | 4 | 6 | 48% FG |
| Tyler Keller | San Jose State | 15 | 3 | 2 | 38% FG, 30% 3PT |
| Ethan Gomez | New Mexico | 12 | 9 | 2 | 55% FG |
– Jordan Hernandez recorded a double‑double and hit four crucial three‑pointers in the second half.
- Mason Lee orchestrated the offense with a 6‑assist performance, highlighting the Lobos’ ball‑movement.
- Ethan Gomez dominated the glass, pulling down nine rebounds, including three offensive boards that led to second‑chance points.
Statistical Breakdown
- Scoring Efficiency
- New Mexico shot 47% from the field and 38% from three‑point range.
- San Jose State managed 39% field‑goal shooting and 28% from beyond the arc.
- Turnover Margin
- Lobos forced 17 turnovers (12 steals, 5 forced errors) while committing 9 of their own.
- Rebounding edge
- New mexico out‑rebounded the spartans 44‑32, controlling the defensive boards in the paint.
- Fast‑Break points
- The Pit’s high‑tempo style generated 22 fast‑break points, a direct result of forced turnovers.
Impact on Mountain West Standings
- Lobos: Move to 2nd place behind conference leader, maintaining a tie for the top seed in the upcoming tournament.
- Spartans: Slip to 5th place, jeopardizing their bid for an at‑large NCAA tournament spot.
Note: The win also solidifies New Mexico’s home‑court advantage, as they are now 5‑0 at The Pit this season.
Coaching Strategies that Made the Difference
New Mexico (Coach Mike Rogers)
- Early press defense: Implemented a full‑court press in the first 5 minutes, resulting in three immediate steals and a 6‑0 run.
- Balanced scoring: Rotated eight players into scoring positions,preventing San Jose State from focusing on a single scorer.
- Bench utilization: Gave 12 minutes to the sixth‑man,Luis Marquez,who contributed 8 points and 3 rebounds.
san Jose State (Coach Rebecca Davis)
- Adjusted half‑court offense: Shifted to a more perimeter‑focused attack in the third quarter, but the Lobos’ perimeter defense limited three‑point attempts to just two makes.
- Defensive lapse: Relied heavily on static zone coverage, which the Lobos exploited with crisp passing and off‑ball cuts.
Benefits of Dominating at the Pit
- Home‑court energy: The Pit’s acoustic design amplifies crowd noise, disrupting opponent communication.
- Altitude advantage: At 5,300 ft, the thin air can affect visiting players’ stamina, especially in fast‑paced games.
- Recruiting boost: Consistent wins at a nationally recognized arena enhance New Mexico’s appeal to top high‑school talent.
Practical Tips for Teams Facing The Pit
- Condition for altitude: Arrive at least two days early to acclimate and incorporate light cardio sessions.
- Focus on ball security: Reduce turnovers; each forced error at The Pit frequently enough translates into speedy points.
- Exploit outside shooting: Use high‑arc shots to counteract the crowd’s noise level and keep the defense honest.
- Stay aggressive on the boards: Defensive rebounding neutralizes the Lobos’ fast‑break opportunities.
Real‑world Exmaple: Last Season’s Upset
- In January 2024,Utah State entered The Pit with a 7‑game winning streak but fell 71‑68 after New Mexico forced 14 turnovers in the final 8 minutes. The game highlighted the same defensive intensity that resurfaced in the 88‑65 victory.
Future Outlook for New Mexico
- Upcoming matchup: New Mexico faces Colorado State on December 28, a critical game for the top seed.
- Key player watch: Jordan Hernandez’s leadership and shooting consistency are expected to remain pivotal.
- Potential tournament seed: If the Lobos maintain a win‑rate above 80%, they are projected to secure a #2 seed in the Mountain West Tournament.