November 24 – New Mexico followed a better-than-expected first half with a dominant second 20 minutes to blow out Texas Southern 99-68 before an announced crowd of 11,286 in the Pit.

All 12 available Lobos scored, five of them in double figures, led by Tru Washington’s 19-point, 10-rebound, four-steal, three-assist Gem in 28 minutes on the floor, leading an energetic effort to put the game out early to play in the second half.

The Lobos improve to 5-1 on the season before heading to Palm Springs for two games against NCAA Tournament potential competition on Thursday and Friday, beginning Thanksgiving night against Big 12’s Arizona State.

Texas Southern (1-5) used a 9-0 run late in the first half to take its first lead over the Lobos at 31-29 on a Zytarious Mortle 3-pointer with 2:27 remaining in the half.

The Lobos, led by Braden Appelhans, closed the half with a 9-0 run of their own. In one flurry of action, Appelhans blocked Zaire Hayes’ shot attempt — Appelhans’ second block of the half — and then completed the ensuing fast break by hitting an elbow 3-pointer in transition for the 38-31 halftime score.

The Lobos kept the momentum going to start the second half, going on a 7-0 spurt out of the locker room and a 16-0 run overall for a 45-31 lead with 18:16 remaining.

The script was similar to three days earlier, when the Lobos didn’t get going until the second half in an 80-58 win over Grambling State. UNM had a four-point lead over the Tigers at halftime of that game.

This story will be updated.