Arizona State and New Mexico enter their first game at the Acrisure Classic at Palm Springs, Calif., on Thursday each at 5-1 with some momentum from home wins following their lone loss to this point.
They are also unbeaten in their neutral-site games this season with Arizona State victorious against Santa Clara at Henderson, Nev., and Grand Canyon in Phoenix, and New Mexico with a win over UCLA at Henderson.
They meet after playing in the doubleheader at Henderson on Nov. 8.
The Lobos’ 72-64 victory over a ranked UCLA team that night was their “best performance” of the season to this point, according to coach Richard Pitino.
New Mexico played nine days later at St. John’s in New York, where Pitino coached against his father Rick Pitino, and lost 85-71.
The Lobos have defeated Grambling State 80-58 and Texas Southern 99-68 at The Pit in Albuquerque since that loss.
Tru Washington led the Lobos with 19 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Texas Southern on Sunday night.
Mustapha Amzil matched his career high as a Lobo with 18 points while Donovan Dent had 11 points and five assists. Filip Borovicanin tied his career high with 11 points off the bench, while Kayde Dotson added 10 points.
“I thought we played really well,” the younger Pitino said of the win over Texas Southern. “I think UCLA was our best performance, but all around we did a lot of great things. I thought we missed some open looks in the first half that we converted on in the second half.
“We continue to turn teams over at a high rate.”
Texas Southern had 20 turnovers that led to a 30-2 edge in points off turnovers for the Lobos.
Arizona State has not played since Nov. 20 when the Sun Devils beat Cal Poly 93-89 at home.
Arizona State has won its last three games since losing at then-No. 6 Gonzaga 88-80 on Nov. 10.
Joson Sanon came off the bench to lead Arizona State with 22 points in the win over Cal Poly.
“He’s certainly a pure shooter, certainly as good as I’ve had since I’ve been at Arizona State,” said Bobby Hurley, in his 10th season as Arizona State’s coach.
Sanon is shooting 51.7 percent overall (30 of 58) and from 3-point range (15 of 29).
