ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (November 7, 2026) – For a second straight game to start the season, turnovers proved to be a thorn in the side of the Northern Arizona men's basketball team on Saturday. The Lumberjacks committed 16 turnovers, and only forced two, in a 94-65 loss to New Mexico in The Pit – Powered by Nusenda, falling to 0-2 in the process.
 
Four nights after turning it over 18 times against UNLV, NAU had 16 versus New Mexico. The Lobos scored 23 points off turnovers, while the 'Jacks were shut out of points off only two New Mexico turnovers.
 
Meanwhile, New Mexico also had a significant advantage in the paint, outscoring NAU, 48-24, inside.
 
Chris Komin led NAU with 21 points, becoming only the third Lumberjack in the last 33 years to post consecutive 20-point games to open a season. He shot 7-of-14 from the field, set a new career-high with six rebounds and tied a career-high with six assists.
 
Ryan Abelman (12) and Lucas Toukam (10) also scored in double-figures for the second consecutive game. Toukam paced NAU with seven rebounds, helping the 'Jacks keep pace with the Lobos on the glass with New Mexico only winning the rebounding margin by one.
 
Spurred by a pair of early 3-pointers by Abelman, the Lumberjacks hung tough with the Lobos through the first seven minutes, trailing 14-12. The 'Jacks then went cold from the field, missing six consecutive shots during a stretch in which the Lobos went on a 15-2 run to open the game up.
 
New Mexico held a 46-30 halftime lead largely to NAU's offensive struggles. While the Lumberjacks only shot 36.4% in the first half, turnovers were a larger issue. New Mexico scored 15 points off eight NAU first half turnovers and conversely, did not turn the ball over once in the first 20 minutes.
 
Although NAU did not get closer than 16 points in the second half, the Lumberjacks improved offensively, shooting 45.8% in the second half to finish the afternoon at 41.3% from the field. NAU was also exceptional at the free throw line, making 21-of-27 (77.8%) for the game.
 
New Mexico concluded the game shooting 48.6% from the field. Jake Hall, the preseason Mountain West Player of the Year, paced the Lobos (2-0) with 23 points. Uriah Tenette, a fellow preseason all-conference pick, scored 18 and Hudson Mayes scored 16.
 
The Lumberjacks continue their four-game road stretch to start the season at Arizona in Tucson next Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. MST. The Wildcats opened the season ranked No. 5 in the AP Top 25.
 
Stay up to date with Northern Arizona men's basketball by following the Lumberjacks on X and Instagram.