UNM’s road magic ends with lopsided loss to Nevada

The Nevada Wolfpack defeated the Lobos at Wise Pies Arena, AKA the Pit earlier this month on a miraculous comeback in the final minute of action.

No such comeback was needed when the two teams faced off for a second time in Reno on Saturday afternoon, as the Wolfpack dismantled the Lobos 82-65.

Cameron Oliver led Nevada with 26 points on 10 of 16 shooting, including three of five from behind the arc, while Jordan Caroline added 20 points and eight rebounds.

As usual, the Lobos were led by forward Tim Williams and guard Elijah Brown, both of whom scored 18 points on a combined 13 of 28 shooting.

But no other Lobo scored in double figures, as UNM shot a pedestrian 40% from the floor as a team and just 21% from behind the three-point line.

After heading into the break down 37-31, the Lobos came out strong in the second period to bring the score within one on a layup by Tim Williams with just over 18:00 left to play. Oliver would respond with a three-point basket on the next possession, as the Wolfpack would build upon their lead and never look back.

It was a convincing win for the Mountain West Conference leading Wolfpack and a step back for a New Mexico team that turned heads with road wins against San Diego State, Boise State, and Colorado State this season.

“I didn’t think we had the same edge that we have had previously on the road,” said UNM head coach Craig Neal. “It was a big atmosphere today, but I still feel good about where we are.”

The Lobos will look to once again prove where they are as a team on the road against UNLV on Wednesday.