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Nov. 24—New Mexico followed up a closer-than-expected first half with a dominating second 20 minutes to blow out Texas Southern 99-68 in front of 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 energized effort to put the game away early in the second half.
The Lobos improve to 5-1 on the season before heading to Palm Springs for two games Thursday and Friday against NCAA Tournament-potential competition, starting Thanksgiving evening 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 on the Lobos at 31-29 after a Zytarious Mortle 3-pointer with 2:27 remaining in the half.
The Lobos, led by Braden Appelhans, closed the half on 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 halftime score of 38-31.
The Lobos kept the momentum 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 left in the game.
The script was similar to three days prior, 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 in halftime of that game.
This story will be updated.