The University of New Mexico Lobo men’s basketball team may be totally revamped but they are in a familiar spot after starting Mountain West conference play Saturday.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico Lobo men’s basketball team took down the San Jose State Spartans in Saturday’s Mountain West Conference opener.

The Lobos kicked off their conference play with an 88-65 win over the Spartans at The Pit. Early on, the two teams traded baskets. Then, in the second half, the Lobos went on a 17-0 run to put the game away.

Milos Vicentic led the Lobos with 19 points, going 7 for 9 in the field and 3 for 5 from 3-point range. Jake Hall put up 18 points while JT Rock put up 11.

In all, five players scored in double-figures Saturday: Vicentic (19 points), Hall (18), Rock (11), Uriah Tenette (11), Deyton Albury (10).

The Lobos now have three wins in the last four matchups with Spartans. They won 63-52 in the Mountain West tournament in March and 83-77 on Dec. 4, 2024, but lost Jan. 14 in a 71-70 nail biter.

With another win against the Spartans, the Lobos are now 10-2 on the season with seven wins in a row now. Their next game is Tuesday, Dec. 30, at 9 p.m. MT against Boise State in Boise, Idaho.

When the Lobos faced Boise State last season, they easily won their first matchup, 85-64, Jan. 17, but lost twice — 86-78 in a Feb. 19 matchup and 72-69 in a Mountain West tournament matchup in March. However, Boise State lost their conference opener and have a record of 8-4 this season.

The Lobos sit atop the Mountain West standings, ahead of Utah State (10-1).

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