In a Mountain West Conference showdown that was anything but predictable, the New Mexico Lobos overcame a strong start from the Utah State Aggies to snatch a decisive 82-63 victory. The game, played on Saturday night in front of a sold-out crowd at the Spectrum, was initially painted as another chapter in Utah State’s famed “Spectrum Magic.” However, as the game unfolded, it was clear that the magic had shifted allegiances, favoring the visiting Lobos.
Alt text: Utah State guard Drake Allen elevates for a powerful breakaway dunk against New Mexico, momentarily extending the Aggies’ lead during the intense matchup.
The Aggies, entering the game tied at the top of the conference standings with New Mexico, appeared poised to continue their home dominance in this rivalry. A steal and emphatic breakaway dunk by Utah State guard Drake Allen pushed their lead to nine points with 15 minutes remaining, seemingly validating the “Spectrum Magic” promotion. However, this electrifying moment proved to be the high point for Utah State. From that juncture, the Lobos unleashed an 11-0 run, part of a larger 21-5 surge that completely flipped the script of the game.
“I think that we need to let this one sting for a little bit,” Aggies guard Drake Allen admitted after the game, acknowledging the painful nature of the defeat. “When you lose games like that, it hurts really bad, and I think all of the guys are feeling it right now. We’re not proud of the way we played, not only with not making shots, but we’re not proud of the energy we have. We should have given it a little bit more, but we’re going to use it as motivation to bounce back.”
This loss dropped the defending Mountain West champions to second place in the conference, a half-game behind the now leading Lobos. Prior to this game, Utah State boasted an impressive home record against New Mexico, having won the previous seven encounters and 11 of the last 13 overall. However, Saturday night saw a stark reversal of fortune. The Aggies struggled mightily from beyond the arc, hitting a season-low 16.1% (5 of 31) from 3-point range. Their woes extended to the free-throw line, where they converted a dismal 43.5% (10 of 23), also a season worst.
Alt text: Utah State head coach Jerrod Calhoun addresses the media during a post-game interview, expressing disappointment after the team’s unexpected loss to New Mexico at home.
“I thought we had a lot of wide-open looks, but we had — by far — our worst shooting performance of the year,” Utah State head coach Jerrod Calhoun lamented. He further emphasized the detrimental impact of their offensive struggles on their overall game, stating, “But you can’t let your offense dictate how you’re going to compete and how you’re going to play, and I thought we did that a little bit. The frustration of not seeing that little round ball go in the basket can do that, right?”
Despite the team’s overall shooting struggles (37.5% from the field), a few Aggies managed to reach double figures. Allen led Utah State with 14 points, including three 3-pointers, while senior guard Deyton Albury contributed 12 points. Guards Dexter Akanno and Ian Martinez each added 10 points. However, for Martinez, the team’s leading scorer for much of the season, it was another challenging offensive night. He shot just 4 for 10 from the field and went 0 for 7 from 3-point range. His free-throw shooting, once a strength, has also faltered recently.
Mason Falslev, Utah State’s second-leading scorer, also had an uncharacteristic off night, managing only four points on 2-for-8 shooting from the field and 0-for-3 from the free-throw line. “Our best players have got to play better,” Calhoun stated directly, referring to Martinez and Falslev. “… You can’t go (a combined) 6 for 20. It was a rough night and they’ve really struggled the last two weeks. … But I have a lot of confidence those kids will bounce back.”
Looking to rebound, Utah State is set to play at Wyoming on Tuesday night. Just 11 months prior, the Spectrum was the scene of celebration as the Aggies clinched the Mountain West title with a victory over New Mexico. However, on Saturday, the Lobos reversed the narrative. After trailing 36-30 at halftime, New Mexico emerged a transformed team in the second half, scoring an impressive 52 points against the Aggies.
Alt text: New Mexico Lobos head coach Richard Pitino smiles confidently during the game against Utah State, witnessing his team’s impressive second-half comeback and eventual victory.
“The second half was just phenomenal all around,” New Mexico head coach Richard Pitino praised. “Rebounding the basketball: plus 15. They were very, very physical. Shooting the basketball, 6-of-13 from 3 was great. Did a great job on free throws as well as guarding the 3-point line. They shot a lot of them and we were really good at getting there with a hand up. Just a phenomenal win. Obviously, it’s a very difficult place to play and our guys were so business-like with their approach.”
New Mexico’s balanced attack saw five players score in double figures: senior forward Mustapha Amzil (16 points), senior center Nelly Junior Joseph (15 points), junior guard Donovan Dent (14 points), sophomore guard Tru Washington (13 points), and senior guard CJ Noland (11 points). The Lobos’ offense surged in the second half, shooting 56.7% from the field and 6 of 13 from 3-point range, a significant improvement from their first-half performance. They also dominated the glass, outrebounding Utah State 48-33.
“First of all, I have to give New Mexico a lot of credit,” Calhoun reiterated. “I thought they played a great second half. I thought we guarded it about as well as we could in the first half. The last two games, we’ve really had not much resolve on the defensive end in the second half. I think we gave up 47 to UNLV and then 48 (actually 52) tonight, but I always give credit to New Mexico.”
The Lobos’ comeback was sparked after Allen’s dunk, with Nelly Junior Joseph initiating the turnaround. A 3-pointer by freshman Jovan Milicevic brought New Mexico within two points, and a subsequent 3-point play by Joseph gave the Lobos their first lead since early in the game, which they never relinquished.
“We’ve had kind of a struggle putting games away this season,” Allen reflected, “and after going up by nine — and leading by six at halftime — we’ve got to continue to get stops and put the ball in the basket and also making free throws helps when they foul and missing free throws is huge for them because they get out and run. They’re a good transition team, so when you don’t make shots, it plays right into their hands.”
Adding to Utah State’s woes were injuries sustained during the game. Starting wing Tucker Anderson exited with an ankle injury in the first half, and Dexter Akanno left in the second half due to a leg cramp. Sophomore Karson Templin also briefly left the game with a hand injury but later returned.
In a heated moment late in the game, Coach Calhoun had a notable interaction with veteran official Tommy Nunez, which Calhoun expressed his intention to review further with the league.
Ultimately, the night belonged to New Mexico. They demonstrated resilience and elevated their game in the second half to secure a convincing victory against Utah State on their home court, shaking up the Mountain West Conference standings in the process.
