ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New Mexico set the tone early with a 16-0 run to open Monday afternoon's contest at The Pit. It was too much for Fresno State as the Bulldogs fell 95-67.
The Lobos got 39 points from beyond the arc, outscoring the 'Dogs by 24 from outside.
Freshman Brian Amuneke had a career day with 18 points to lead the Bulldogs. New Mexico saw five players in double figures led by Donovan Dent's 20 points and nine assists.
How It Happened
A transition triple just over two minutes into the game forced an early timeout call from the Bulldogs as they trailed 9-0.
The 'Dogs found themselves down 16-0 before they got on the board with a pair at the line from Brian Amuneke with 14:45 on the clock. Those first five minutes saw Fresno State go 0-of-5 from the field with six turnovers leading to eight New Mexico points. The 16-0 run was the largest the 'Dogs have allowed this season.
Amuneke got the Bulldogs' first field goal of the game with 13:53 on the clock as they trailed 18-4. Mustapha Amzil answered with seven unanswered for the Lobos to force Fresno State to burn its second timeout in the opening nine minutes.
Fresno State took advantage of a pair of turnovers that resulted in a 6-0 spurt for the 'Dogs. UNM called its first timeout with 8:58 to settle things down. It didn't though and Jalen Weaver began to assert himself scoring the next seven as the run ballooned to 13 unanswered.
Just as quick as the deficit was under double digits at 25-17, the Lobos countered with 10 straight in two minutes to push their advantage back to 18 before a corner 3 from Amuneke.
Fresno State's deficit stood at 18 at the half (45-27) as the Bulldogs were outshot by 26.0% and were just one of the last seven to close out the opening 20 minutes.
New Mexico's lead grew to 26 at the opening media time out of the second following a 14-4 start. The Lobos led by as much as 35 in the second half before winning 95-67.
Notes
The 28-point loss was Fresno State's fourth-largest defeat to a Mountain West opponent.
Fresno State was outrebounded 54-35. It was the eighth time the Bulldogs have been outrebounded by double digits and the sixth time allowing 50 or more rebounds.
Fresno State allowed 13 3-pointers, its second-most of the season and fourth time allowing 13 or more.
Fresno State shot its fifth-lowest percentage from 3-point range of the year (20.0% - 5-of-25).
Fresno State's 18-point halftime deficit was tied for its second largest of the season (Dec. 28 at UNLV).
Elijah Price posted his fifth double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Alex Crawford reached double figures in scoring for the fifth straight game, and 10th overall with 12 points.
Jalen Weaver recorded his 12th game in double figures with 14 points.
Mor Seck had a season-high three blocks.
Brian Amuneke had a season-high 18 points on 4-of-8 shooting. Aiding his scoring was a season-best 7-of-8 at the free-throw line.
The freshman knocked down a season-high three 3-pointers.
Zaon Collins had a season-high nine assists.
Up Next
Fresno State will return to the Save Mart Center on Saturday to host Colorado State. Tipoff is slated for 4 p.m. PT and will stream on the Mountain West Network.