ST. GEORGE, Utah – The Dixie State men’s basketball team fell to the New Mexico Lobos following multiple struggles in the second half.

The Trailblazers hosted the Lobos at Burns Arena on Wednesday, January 13.

It was the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

Dixie State hung with UNM for the bulk of the 40-minute contest but in the end, the Lobos captured a 72-63 win.

Final. pic.twitter.com/MYn53fuGMu

— Dixie State Basketball (@DIXIESTATEBBALL) January 14, 2021

After the first 20 minutes of action, the Blazers only trailed by one point.

Halftime at Burns Arena and we’ve got a good one.@UNMLoboMBB 27@DIXIESTATEBBALL 26

Jacob Nicolds leads the Trailblazers with 8 points. #WeAreONE #DixieBlazers #WACMBB #WAChoops

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 14, 2021

Second Half Struggles

The second half resembled the results of the first half for the first few minutes with Dixie State keeping things close.

However, midway through the half, the Lobos began to pull away.

The Trailblazers struggled to see the ball go through the cylinder and failed to keep New Mexico from maintaining a double-digit advantage during the closing minutes.

In the end, poor shooting and getting outrebounded doomed DSU.

Andre Mulibea led the Trailblazers with 15 points on 6-12 field goals.

Mulibea for three narrows the gap to 9 points.

— Dixie State Basketball (@DIXIESTATEBBALL) January 14, 2021

Overall, Dixie State shot 32.3 percent from the field, including 33.3 percent from three-point range.

Saquan Singleton led the Lobos with a game-high 17 points.

New Mexico ended the game shooting 42.2 percent overall despite going 16.7 percent on triples.

With the win, UNM improved to a record of 4-6 this season.

Lobos looking C L E A N tonight!#GoLobos pic.twitter.com/6ssO7Asq5E

— Lobo Basketball (@UNMLoboMBB) January 14, 2021

Burns Arena Agreement

UNM recently reached an agreement with Dixie State and will continue to use Burns Arena its practices during “the next couple weeks.”

The Lobos will host San Jose State in St. George on January 21 and January 23.

Lobos have touchdown in Utah!#GoLobos pic.twitter.com/mCCNsXYQPE

— Lobo Basketball (@UNMLoboMBB) January 13, 2021

New Mexico has played its last few games in Lubbock, Texas.

Up next for Dixie State

With the loss, the Trailblazers fell to 4-3 on the season.

Final from the Burns Arena. #DixieBlazers #WeAreONE #WACmbb #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/2K8IyjWTjX

— Dixie State Athletics (@DixieAthletics) January 14, 2021

Dixie State’s next game is against the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros on Friday, January 15 at 6 p.m. (MDT).