Can New Mexico Lobos' Defensive Struggles Be Overcome Against San Diego State Aztecs?
The New Mexico Lobos faced off against the San Diego State Aztecs at Viejas Arena, resulting in a 79-83 defeat for the visiting team. This outcome brought the Lobos to a 0-1 record, while the Aztecs improved to 1-0. The game was marked by intense competition and strategic plays from both sides.
First Half
The first half saw the Aztecs taking an early lead with a score of 48 points compared to the Lobos' 35. The home team's effective shooting was evident as they achieved a field goal percentage of 49 percent. The Pack struggled defensively, allowing their opponents to capitalize on fast breaks and second-chance opportunities.
Second Half
In the second half, New Mexico attempted a comeback by scoring 44 points. Tomislav Buljan stood out with his performance, contributing significantly with his rebounds and defensive efforts. However, despite their improved offensive play and Buljan's contributions, including his impressive efficiency game score of 18.2 from previous performances, they couldn't close the gap entirely.
Key Performances
Jake Hall also made notable contributions for UNM with efficient shooting from beyond the arc at a rate of 43 percent in previous games. Meanwhile, Deyton Albury added pressure on defense with two steals but faced challenges maintaining possession under SDSU's aggressive defense.
On SDSU's side, their bench players were pivotal in maintaining momentum throughout both halves as they scored an impressive total of 37 bench points during this encounter.
Final Thoughts
The New Mexico Lobos vs San Diego State Aztecs result analysis highlights areas for improvement for UNM moving forward—particularly in reducing turnovers which totaled up to seventeen during this matchup—and enhancing defensive strategies against high-scoring teams like SDSU who managed twelve unanswered points at one point during gameplay.
Looking ahead: Fans can catch post-game thoughts New Mexico Lobos when they host Fresno State Bulldogs on January 21st at The Pit in Albuquerque; tip-off is scheduled for late evening hours (9:00 PM EDT), available via CBS Sports Network broadcast nationwide! Share your thoughts about these exciting matchups!