By CJ Peterson — Staff Writer
With five minutes to play in the first half, the San Jose State men’s basketball team (3-20, 0-11 MW) found themselves up by three points after sophomore guard Noah Baumann rattled home his second three-pointer of the game.
That three-point lead would be the SJSU’s last as a 15-2 University of New Mexico (11-13, 5-7 MW) run to end the second half sent the team into a downward spiral, leading to a 92-60 loss at The Pit for its 14th-consecutive loss this season.
Coming off their worst loss of the season, a 48-point loss to the Boise State University Saturday night, the Spartans began their second-straight road game emphasising ball movement.
In the first half, the Spartans recorded seven assists on 13 made baskets. Baumann, who recorded all three of his dishes in the first period, would be the primary facilitator.
Shooting 40 percent from the field, the Spartans were able to maintain the pace set by the Lobos as the game saw 10 lead changes and seven ties in the first 15 minutes.
Bauman’s triple, with 5:01 to play before the break, would mark the 11th lead change of the game, but would ultimately be SJSU’s last.
In the final five minutes of the half, the Spartans would miss all seven shots attempted from the floor, only scoring two points on a pair of free throws from Baumann.
While its offense went cold, UNM took advantage by pouring in 15 points to give themselves a ten-point advantage by halftime.
As the second half began, the Spartans’ offensive troubles continued, only scoring six points to the Lobos’ 20 by eight minutes into the period.
Before long, the Lobos increased their lead to 30, snuffing out any hopes that the Spartans had of achieving their first Mountain West win of the season.
The Spartans return to the Event Center on Saturday to take on UNLV.
Follow CJ on Twitter @cj_peterson1
