The game marked the second of the season for both teams, as New Mexico improved to 2-0 and the Hornets dropped to 1-1. New Mexico has now won all three meetings between the two teams (each at The Pit), including victories in 1998 and 2003. Since the beginning of the 1995-96 season, New Mexico is now 171-33 in The Pit, which sits 37 feet below the street level.

Sacramento State shot 35.9 percent (23-64) from the field, including 27.3 percent (9-33) in the second half. All but four Lobo players shot at least 50.0 percent from the field.

After attempting 39 three-pointers in their game against Abilene Christian to days ago, the Lobos scored 44 of their 92 points inside the paint against the Hornets. In fact, the Lobos outscored Sacramento State, 44-30, inside the paint.

Joining Giddens with double figures were Aaron Johnson (12 points, eight rebounds) and Tony Danridge (12 points, two steals). New Mexico went 9-of-21 from beyond the three-point line (.429), including two three-pointers each from Roman Martinez, Jeffrey Henfield, Chad Toppert and Kellen Walter.

Both teams battled back and forth during the early stages of the game as neither took a lead larger than four points through the opening 11:30 of the first half. A steal in the back court and subsequent dunk for junior Roderick Adams brought the Hornets within, 20-19, with 9:49 left in the first half. However, New Mexico outscored the Hornets, 27-14, during the final 9:07 of the half to take a 47-33 halftime lead. Giddens scored nine of his first-half high 11 points during the run, including scores on three-consecutive Lobo possessions.

New Mexico opened the second half on a 17-3 run to take a commanding 64-36 lead with 14:18 remaining. Sacramento State, which missed six of its first seven field goal attempts in the second half, got no closer than within 23 points of the Lobo lead the rest of the way. New Mexico’s 36-point margin of victory was also the team’s largest lead of the night.

Senior Alex Bausley led the Hornets with 13 points (4-of-7 shooting). Sophomore Loren Leath finished with nine points, but struggled to find his rhythm, finishing the game 4-of-14 and 1-of-6 from beyond the three-point arc. All 11 Hornets that appeared in the game scored, as senior Clark Woods returned after missing both exhibition games and the season opener. He finished with five points, two assists and two rebounds.

The Hornets outrebounded the Lobos, 36-33, but turned the ball over 16 times compared to just nine turnovers for New Mexico.

Sacramento State returns to action on Tuesday, Nov. 14, for the team’s third game in five days. The Hornets will host San Francisco at 7:05 p.m. inside the Hornets Nest. After the USF game, Sacramento State will play eight of its next 11 games on the road, including dates at 16th-ranked Washington, Louisville and Boise State.