ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – A 21-10 first half run by New Mexico was the difference as Texas Southern dropped its 2023-24 season opener 92-55 Monday night.
TSU led 7-3 to open the contest after a pair of Jahmar Young, Jr. free throws but three free throws by New Mexico closed the gap to 7-6. However, TSU went scoreless for nearly six minutes as the Lobos led by as much as eight until Shaqir Oneal's layup with 11:57 left ended the drought as TSU trailed 15-9. The contest remained close for the next several minutes as TSU was within six (20-14) after Jonathan Cisse's three-pointer but the Lobos went on a 21-10 run to close out the first half for a 41-24 halftime lead.
The Tigers were outscored 18-5 to open the second half as the Lobos claimed a 59-29 lead until Kehlin Farooq's three-pointer with 13:27 remaining. Unfortunately, the damage was already done as the Tigers couldn't climb over the hump as the Lobos extended their series record to 7-1 all-time against TSU.
Newcomers Cisse and Jaylen Wysinger led TSU with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Farooq led TSU with six rebounds followed by five from Kenny Hunter and Wysinger. Cisse also had four assists. TSU had nine blocks on Monday led by three each from Hunter and Kolby Granger.
TSU is back in action on Saturday at Arizona State for a 2:30 p.m. tip-off.
