New-Look Lobos Show Offensive Potential in Exhibition Win Over Oklahoma State
Even if it doesn’t count in the record books, Jake Hall’s first shots in a Lobo uniform in 2026-27 were what Lobo fans hope to see more of when the regular season rolls around.
In UNM’s 99-89 win over Oklahoma State in its first preseason exhibition game, Hall scored UNM’s first 14 points and finished the first half with 21, becoming the first Lobo to score more than 20 points in a half since Jalen House scored 26 points against New Mexico State on Dec. 2, 2023.
Hall’s scoring toolbox was on full display. While he finished the first half 6-of-6 from the field and 4-of-4 from 3-point range, he also showed off his leaner, more physical frame, drawing contact and getting to the free-throw line multiple times.
He eventually cooled off. His last points of the first half came at the 8:29 mark, and he did not score from the field again until the 10:56 mark of the second half. He finished with a team-high 31 points and missed only one shot from the field.
“… Honestly, at the end, we still end up with four in double figures,” head coach Eric Olen said in a postgame interview on 96.3 KKOB. “It was just that early part of the game where guys are kind of settling in, and Jake’s always a little more comfortable.”
Despite Hall’s spectacular shooting, the first exhibition game featured the growing pains fans would expect. Sloppy play and a foul fest saw both teams combine for 66 fouls, resulting in 83 free throws. Both Chris Howell and Lobo freshman Benjamin Schuch fouled out in limited minutes. The constant stoppages in play made the game choppy, and both teams struggled to find a consistent offensive rhythm.
While no one should read too much into a first preseason exhibition contest, UNM had plenty of positives to take away from beating a Big 12 opponent after months of playing only against themselves.
After a tight first half in which UNM led 42-38 at the break, the Lobos trailed early in the second half 52-48. UNM used a 12-0 run beginning at the 16-minute mark of the second half to build a double-digit lead that it would not relinquish. The Lobos finished one point shy of 100, shot 49% (27-of-55) from the field and 42% (9-of-21) from 3-point range
True freshman big man Fynn Lastring was second on the team with 16 points. He knocked down three 3-pointers in the final four minutes of the first half and proved he can be the stretch big who will thrive in Olen’s offense.
“He (referring to Oklahoma State forward Benjamin Ahmed) was talking to me after the first one, and then I made two more, and their coach was getting crazy, so it was a little funny,” Lastring said.
UC San Diego transfer Hudson Mayes struggled from the field, going 3-of-9, but he attacked the basket relentlessly and went 7-of-11 from the free-throw line. Mayes finished with 13 points and was UNM’s leading rebounder with seven boards.
Senior forward Rytis Petraitis and freshman guard Dax Hall had the highest plus-minus ratings on the team. Petraitis finished at +19, and Dax Hall finished at +18. Petraitis had a balanced floor game with eight points, six rebounds and two assists, while Dax Hall scored four points during that 12-0 second-half run and had a big steal on the defensive end.
UNM Struggled Against Oklahoma State’s Size
One of the biggest question marks coming into this season for the Lobos was whether this team has enough depth in the frontcourt to battle bigger and more physical teams.
UNM played only two big men in this game. Six-foot-nine forward AJ Pierre Jerome was dressed and available but did not play. True freshman 6-foot-6 forward Nathaniel Marithi did not dress out, so the Lobos rolled with Lastring and German big man Federico Grani against a big Oklahoma State lineup.
The Cowboys started a true 7-footer in Julius Halaifonua and another forward at 6-foot-11 in Andrija Grbovic while bringing another forward, 6-foot-10 Ahmed, off the bench.
The Lobos were outrebounded 45-35 and gave up 22 offensive rebounds and 27 second-chance points. While UNM battled at times, the Lobos struggled to match the physicality of a bigger Power Four opponent.
“I thought we had some mixed results there,” Olen said. “It’s hard to feel too good about it when you give up 22 offensive rebounds… I mean, that’s a big, physical team, especially in the frontcourt, but that’s an area that we know that we have to improve…”
The New Mexico men’s basketball team opened exhibition play with a 99-89 win over Oklahoma State, led by Jake Hall’s game-high 31 points. Hall scored UNM’s first 14 points and finished the first half without missing a shot. Freshman Fynn Lastring added 16 points, while Hudson Mayes contributed 13. Despite the offensive performance, the Lobos struggled against Oklahoma State’s size, allowing 22 offensive rebounds and 27 second-chance points as coach Eric Olen continues evaluating his new-look roster.