PHOTO BY NICOLAS PEรA
The Pit – Albuquerque, NM
The New Mexico Lobos and Grand Canyon Antelopes haven’t met a ton over the years, but they are familiar foes. Grand Canyon – Newcomer to the Mountain West, and rising West Coast basketball power – previously spent the last several years in the WAC, where they won numerous conference and conference-tournament titles. Prior to Tuesday’s match-up, New Mexico and Grand Canyon had met a total of only five times, with New Mexico holding a 4-1 record over the ‘Lopes (the Lobos’ one loss – A 65-68 result, coming on the road in Phoenix during the 2014-15 season).
The two schools have campuses that are roughly 400 miles apart, and feature two of the most passionate college basketball fanbases in the Southwest, if not the entire sport. Fans of the two programs have been pitching this series as a budding conference rivalry, and both squads have built some momentum in early conference play.
Grand Canyon entered Tuesday’s match-up having taken double-digit victories over Wyoming and Boise State, at Wyoming and Boise State – Two of the most unforgiving hoops venues for opponents near and far. GCU also features a talented roster that includes one of the best guards in the Mountain West, in former UNLV Runnin’ Rebel, Jaden Henley (who averages around 17 points per game). With all of the above in mind, excitement quickly began to build around Tuesday’s showdown in The Pit.
The first half played out like an grueling fist-fight between heavyweights: The Lobos and ‘Lopes traded blows throughout. And while the Lobos never trailed, GCU seemingly had a calm and composed response for each and every New Mexico run. Grand Canyon pulled the game within two, before rising New Mexico star Uriah Tenette hit a ridiculous buzzer-beating three-point shot from distance (see below), making it a 38-33 New Mexico lead at the break.
Coming out of the half, Grand Canyon quickly made a play to even things: Behind Brian Moore Jr. (who finished with 11 points, 2 assists, and a steal), Grand Canyon tied the game (40-40) just under the 19:00 mark.
Yet, New Mexico never yielded the lead. As they’ve done time-and-time again this season, the Lobos pieced together a series of runs, building a 59-49 lead. Combined with some questionable officiating calls (on both ends), frustration began to mount for GCU. This came to a head around the 10:51 mark, when head coach Bryce Drew was suddenly called for two consecutive technical fouls, resulting in an eruption of boos from the “Cherry-Out” Pit crowd, and Drew’s immediate ejection.
Grand Canyon never quite recovered. Lobo star Freshman Jake Hall converted on 3 of 4 technical-related free-throws, before teammate Deyton Albury threw down an electrifying, Pit-rattling, one-handed jam of a dunk (see below). New Mexico closed on a 28-15 swing, ultimately taking the 87-64 victory over GCU.
Five Lobo players reached double-figures, led by Jake Hall (22 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist), who added another 20+ point game to his Freshman program-record of six games (scoring 20 or more). Deyton Albury and Luke Haupt each posted 11 points, while Uriah Tenette (14) and JT Rock (13) combined for 27 points off the bench. Another Lobo – Antonio Chol, was just shy of the double-digit mark, posting 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. Three ‘Lopes saw double-figures, led by Jaden Henley (17 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists); Makaih Williams (13) and Brian Moore Jr. (11) added a combined 24 points for GCU.
Couch Potato Sports Player of the Game: Jake Hall (Guard, Fr.) – 22 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist
Next Up: New Mexico improves to 14-3 (5-1 MWC), with a trip to rival San Diego State on Saturday. The Aztecs are 11-4, and are one of two undefeated teams in Mountain West play (the other being Utah State; both are 5-0 in MWC play). Tip-time is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (MT) on Saturday, and will stream on the CBS Sports Network.
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