ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico men's basketball played an exhibition at The Pit against in-state foe New Mexico Friday night.

The final game of the 2023 part of the 2023-24 season went into the Lobos favor, 87-54. Although the game does not count in ENMU's final record, it improves UNM to a 12-1 mark.

"This is high level Division I," said head coach Brent Owen after the contest with UNM. "We started off playing well. I liked how we attacked in transition. That was an encouraging sign."

The game did go in Eastern's favor for the opening minutes before a big run from New Mexico turned things around. Overall, ENMU held the lead for 9:40 in the game.

Senior Jahcoree Ealy got the game's first bucket in transition giving ENMU the edge over the opening ten minutes. The Conway, Arkansas native scored seven of his team-best 11 points during that time frame.

To close out the final six minutes of the period, New Mexico used hot shooting and energetic defense to reverse the course for ENMU. The run ended up being 20-0 – tied for the largest for UNM in the Richard Pitino era.

The game was extra special for two Greyhounds. Rio Rancho native Junior Hodnett and former Highland HS student-athlete Jose Murillo saw great time on the floor for the Hounds.

Murillo got hot in the second half and finished with eight points and a team-high 12 rebounds.

"It was a great experience playing against the Lobos," said the sophomore when asked about the game. "They are a really good team."

His teammate, Hodnett, grabbed three rebounds and earned one point, steal, and assist.

"It felt really good seeing a bunch of people from back home," said Hodnett on the opportunity to play versus UNM. "I always dreamed of playing in The Pit."

Two other players posted double digit scoring for Eastern New Mexico. Tre'Von Love and Conrad Luczynski both posted ten points. Love hit two of the three three's for the Greyhounds on the night.

Luczynski enjoyed the environment of the game.

"Seeing and playing in this big of a stadium is a dream come true," said the 7-3 freshman. "I think we need to put our heads up and we are going to bounce back against UTPB and Angelo State."

Nonconference play ended last week for ENMU, but the exhibition versus UNM plays pivotal as the Hounds are in the hunt for the Lone Star Conference race.

"We have a lot to play for," remarked Owen after the game. "We have a big week next week. We appreciate University of New Mexico for having us."

UT Permian Basin hosts Eastern Thursday, January 4 in Odessa. The Falcons are 8-3 (3-2 LSC). ENMU will then head to Angelo State Saturday, January 6. The Rams are one of the hottest teams in DII basketball coming into the weekend at 10-1 (5-0 LSC).