UNIVERSITY PARK, N.M. (Interstat) — The New Mexico Lobos used a dominant second-quarter surge to overwhelm the New Mexico State Aggies 77-45 in a non-conference women’s basketball game Sunday at the Pan American Center.

The Lobos, who improved to 4-1, broke open a close game by outscoring the Aggies 28-4 in the second period. After leading by just two points, 10-8, late in the first quarter, New Mexico seized control with a 21-0 run that stretched from the end of the first into the second quarter, turning a narrow contest into a commanding 31-8 advantage.

New Mexico’s offensive efficiency was the story of the game. The Lobos scored 77 points on 77 possessions, translating to an offensive rating of 100.5. In stark contrast, the Aggies managed just 45 points on 80 possessions, an offensive rating of 56.5. The Lobos shot an efficient 53.7 percent from the field, hitting 29 of 54 attempts, while the Aggies struggled to a 27 percent shooting performance, making just 17 of 63 shots.

The three-point line was a key differentiator. New Mexico connected on 10 of 22 attempts from beyond the arc, while New Mexico State made only 2 of 14.

Nayli Padilla led the Lobos with 14 points, six rebounds and three assists in 24 minutes. Cacia Antonio recorded a double-double with 10 points and seven rebounds, adding three assists and a block. Clarissa Craig was a force on the boards, pulling down eight rebounds to go with eight points in just 13 minutes of action.

For the Aggies, now 1-2, Lucia Yenes scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Emma Christiano also reached double figures with 10 points, three rebounds and three assists. Lucia Lara contributed eight points and seven rebounds.

Despite committing 23 turnovers, the Lobos compensated with stifling defense, forcing 18 Aggie turnovers and converting them into 18 points. New Mexico also dominated inside, outscoring New Mexico State 38-24 in the paint.

The Aggies showed some fight in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Lobos 20-16, but the deficit was far too large to overcome after New Mexico’s explosive first half.

The game was played in front of an announced crowd of 1,408. The result was an upset according to statistical projections, which had given the home-standing Aggies a 52.4 percent probability of winning.

New Mexico returns to action Thursday at home against Tennessee-Martin. New Mexico State travels to face San Diego next Monday.