The University of New Mexico (UNM) had a successful sports weekend, showcasing the prowess of its athletes in tennis, women’s basketball, and men’s basketball.
Men’s Tennis Triumphs Over South Alabama
After a narrow defeat against Arkansas, the UNM men’s tennis team left no room for doubt in their match against South Alabama. The Lobos dominated from the start, winning the doubles point and securing a 6-1 victory to level their record at 2-2.
The doubles matches set the tone, with Ryoma Matsushita and Avery Tallakson securing a decisive 6-1 win in the no. 3 doubles match. Georgio Samaha and Nicolas Recoura followed suit, winning 7-5 at No. 2 doubles. The No. 1 pairing of Arda Azkara and Alex Maggs had a lead, contributing to the overall success in doubles.
In singles, the teams were evenly matched after the opening sets. However, UNM’s Arthur Bellegy and Rafael Abdulsalam secured victories in straight sets, while Arda Azkara clinched the win with a hard-fought 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 triumph. Georgio Samaha and Alex Maggs completed the clean sweep, securing a 6-1 victory for UNM.
The Lobos will enjoy a week off before returning to their home turf for three matches, hosting Louisiana on February 9 and facing Utah and Western New Mexico on Super Bowl Sunday.
Women’s Basketball Extends Win Streak Against Air Force
The UNM women’s basketball team continued their winning ways with a 66-51 victory over Air Force, extending their win streak to four games. Nyah Wilson led the charge with 24 points and recorded her first career double-double with 10 rebounds.
The Lobos showcased dominance in various aspects of the game, outshooting the Falcons, outrebounding them 52-30, and excelling in free-throw shooting. Wilson, joined by Charlotte Kohl with a double-double, contributed to a well-rounded team performance.
UNM controlled the game, leading for nearly 38 minutes, showcasing a strong start with a 20-7 lead in the first quarter. The Lobos maintained their double-digit lead throughout the game, closing it out with a 15-point victory.
With this win, the Lobos improved to 15-6 on the season and 6-2 in the Mountain West. They are set to face San José State on January 31 for their next contest.
Men’s Basketball Dominates Nevada in 89-55 Victory
The No. 25 UNM men’s basketball team continued their impressive form with a commanding 89-55 victory over Nevada. This marked their fifth consecutive win, all by double digits, and the largest margin of victory in a conference game since 2011-12.
Jaelen House led the Lobos with 21 points, six assists, and six steals, delivering a standout performance. The team had a balanced contribution, with Jamal Mashburn, Jr., Nelly Junior Joseph, Donovan Dent, and Mustapha Amzil all scoring in double figures.
UNM dominated from the start, opening the game with a 10-0 run and maintaining control throughout. The Lobos displayed their defensive prowess with House’s impressive steals, securing a comfortable win and improving their record to 18-3.
Mountain West Honors for House and Toppin
Jaelen House and JT Toppin earned Mountain West weekly honors for their outstanding contributions. House was named the conference’s player of the week, showcasing his exceptional performance with 18 points and four assists against San Jose State and a 21-point, six-assist, six-steal effort against Nevada.
Toppin, earning his third consecutive freshman of the week honor, played a crucial role in UNM’s victories with his seventh double-double of the season against San Jose State and solid contributions against Nevada.
Overall, the Lobos demonstrated their strength across various sports, marking a successful weekend for UNM athletics.