The No. 15 New Mexico Lobos had a big first half Wednesday, and they rode that to an 81-58 win at home over the Air Force Falcons.
New Mexico, which is known to keep the number of possessions and scores low, had 42 points in the first half. That number is relatively impressive, considering the Lobos had 34 points in an entire game on Jan. 26 in a 21-point loss to the San Diego State Aztecs. The loss is New Mexico's only defeat in conference play thus far. It was the team's highest-scoring half since it dropped 43 in the first half against the USC Trojans on Dec. 5, and it was its highest-scoring game since a season-opening 86-81 win over the Davidson Wildcats.
Had Air Force won Wednesday, the team would have moved into a first-place tie with New Mexico in the Mountain West. Instead, the Lobos are now in first by themselves at 7-1 in league play. Air Force is at 5-3.
New Mexico hosts the UNLV Runnin' Rebels on Saturday.