The New Mexico Lobos experienced a week of mixed results across their various athletic programs.
Men’s and Women’s Basketball:
The Men’s Basketball team showcased a rollercoaster of emotions this week. The Lobos fell short against Air Force 78-77 despite a valiant effort from Nelly Junior Joseph, who led the team with 17 points and 9 rebounds. Earlier in the week, they celebrated a dramatic 68-66 victory over No. 22 Colorado State at The Pit. Donovan Dent emerged as the hero, sinking the game-winning layup with just 3.2 seconds remaining on the clock. However, their momentum was halted on the road as they fell 81-70 to San Diego State. Jaelen House continued his impressive season, leading the Lobos in scoring with 22 points.
The Women’s Basketball team, however, continued their remarkable run, extending their undefeated record to 9-0 with a dominant 6-0 shutout victory over UTEP. Leonie Hoppe and Hsuan Huang were instrumental in the win, showcasing their strong performances on the court.
Men’s Golf and Women’s Tennis:
New Mexico Men’s Golf also saw success, finishing ninth at the competitive Southern Highlands Collegiate. Notably, Albert Boneta delivered an impressive performance, securing a top-10 individual finish. This strong showing comes after the team completed the third round at 1-over, moving up to ninth place at 12-over amongst an elite field that included 10 top-30 teams. Oklahoma won the title with a score of 8-under, followed by Auburn at 5-under. The Lobos will look to build on this momentum as they head to the Lamkin Invitational in San Diego next week, where they are the defending champions.
The Women’s Tennis team continued their dominant season, remaining undefeated at 9-0 with a convincing 6-0 shutout victory over UTEP. This win marks their third straight shutout, solidifying their place as a force to be reckoned with. Leonie Hoppe and Hsuan Huang lead the team with 13 singles wins and 14 doubles wins (along with teammate Maria Sodre) each, contributing significantly to their impressive record. Notably, Hoppe has been on a hot streak, winning her last four matches in straight sets, with five of those wins being either 6-1 or 6-0. The Lobos will enjoy a well-deserved week off before taking on a challenging stretch of three matches in four days starting on March 7th. The non-conference finale against New Mexico State on March 10th promises to be an exciting matchup.
Looking Ahead:
The Men’s Basketball team gears up to face Boise State on March 2nd at 6 PM, while the Women’s Basketball team enjoys a well-deserved break before diving into a challenging stretch of three matches in four days, starting on March 7th. The Lobos will face New Mexico State in the non-conference finale on March 10th, aiming to continue their impressive run. Both teams will undoubtedly be looking to build upon their recent performances and secure victories in the upcoming weeks.