The New Mexico Lobos refuse to slow down.
Riding a wave of momentum, the Lobos (19-4, 11-1 MW) stormed past Colorado State 87-65 on Wednesday night at The Pit, securing their fifth straight win and tightening their grip on first place in the Mountain West. With the victory, New Mexico handed the Rams (14-8, 8-3 MW) their first loss in five games and continued their best conference start in over two decades.
It was another second-half explosion for the Lobos, who scored 52 points after the break for the second consecutive game. CJ Noland led the way with 19 points off the bench, delivering a perfect 7-for-7 shooting performance, including three triples. Donovan Dent matched him with 19 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Nelly Junior Joseph dominated inside with 18 points, 11 rebounds, five blocks, four assists, and three steals—his fourth straight double-double. Tru Washington also had a big night, posting a conference career-high 15 points.
Lobos Pull Away After Tight First Half
Colorado State came out firing, jumping to a 9-2 lead in the first two minutes. The Lobos fought back, cutting the deficit to 13-10 before finally taking their first lead at 25-20 with 8:40 left in the half. A 6-0 run helped them extend the advantage to 31-24, and they carried a 35-31 lead into the locker room.
The Rams didn’t go away quietly. A 10-2 run tied the game at 47-47 with 13:20 remaining, and CSU briefly took the lead before Noland drilled back-to-back threes to swing momentum back to New Mexico. The Lobos led 57-53 at the halfway point of the second half before delivering the knockout blow—an 11-2 surge that stretched the lead to 70-56 with just over six minutes to play. From there, New Mexico dominated both ends of the floor, extending the final margin to 22 points—their largest lead of the night.
Lobo Notes: History in the Making
New Mexico is 11-1 in Mountain West play for the first time ever, matching their best conference start since 1997-98 when they were part of the WAC.
Nelly Junior Joseph becomes just the second Lobo in the past seven seasons to record four consecutive double-doubles (joining Morris Udeze from 2022-23).
The Lobos shot 64.3% from three-point range (9-of-14), their best shooting night from deep in eight years.
For the second straight game, New Mexico poured in 52 second-half points, showcasing their offensive firepower.
Coach Pitino Praises Team’s Poise and Execution
“It was another terrific second half, scoring 52 points in back-to-back games,” said head coach Richard Pitino. “We have so much respect for Colorado State, and they were playing great. It was back and forth in the first half, but we composed ourselves and went on an amazing run. We’re shooting the ball well and have a great desire to win. Now, we have to get back to work tomorrow.”
What’s Next?
The Lobos hit the road for a Saturday matchup against Air Force, looking to extend their win streak to six. After that, they’ll return to The Pit for a crucial two-game homestand against Wyoming (Feb. 12) and Utah State (Feb. 16).
