In a night filled with emotion, history, and sheer dominance, the New Mexico Lobos cemented their place atop the Mountain West Conference with a resounding 81-67 victory over UNLV at The Pit. The win not only secured the outright 2025 Mountain West Regular Season Championship for the Lobos but also tied a conference record with their 17th league win. It was a fitting coronation for a team that has consistently showcased grit, firepower, and resilience throughout the season.
Joseph’s Heroics Lead the Way
Senior forward Nelly Junior Joseph delivered a masterclass performance in his final home game, tallying a monstrous 26 points and 16 rebounds to power the Lobos. His impact was felt from the opening tip as he set the tone with eight quick points, igniting the raucous crowd and establishing UNM’s early offensive rhythm. Complementing Joseph’s brilliance were Donovan Dent and Tru Washington, who chipped in with 20 and 19 points, respectively.
A Game of Runs
The game was a tale of shifting momentum. The Lobos burst out to a 12-9 lead within the first four minutes before UNLV responded with a 22-20 advantage midway through the half. The Runnin’ Rebels built a 30-23 lead with under nine minutes to go, but the Lobos answered emphatically, rattling off a 9-0 run to seize control. By halftime, UNM clung to a narrow 40-38 lead, with Joseph already amassing 18 points.
UNLV came out strong in the second half, reclaiming the lead at 43-40. But once again, the Lobos found an extra gear. Trading blows for the next several minutes, New Mexico held a slim 48-47 edge with 15:00 remaining. A critical 12-0 run down the stretch proved to be the dagger, turning a tight 64-63 battle into a commanding 77-64 cushion with just over two minutes left. From there, the Lobos never looked back, capping off their championship night in dominant fashion.
Historical Achievements and Notable Performances
- The Lobos’ remarkable season has been one for the record books:
- Their 17 conference wins tie the Mountain West record, previously set by San Diego State in 2020.
- A near-impeccable 16-1 home record, their best since the undefeated 2009-10 home campaign (17-0).
- 25 regular-season wins, the most since their 26-win campaign in 2012-13.
- Donovan Dent became the first player in Mountain West history to average at least 20 points (20.9) and six assists (6.0) in conference play.
- Dent also joined an exclusive club, becoming just the 14th player in NCAA history to record 600 points and 200 assists in a regular season— the first since Ja Morant in 2018-19.
- Joseph posted his 15th double-double of the season and his eighth game with at least 15 rebounds, tying a 50-year-old school record.
- The Lobos improved to a perfect 18-0 when Tru Washington scores in double figures.
- The Pit witnessed its fourth sellout of the season, a testament to the fanbase’s unwavering support.
Coach Pitino’s Perspective
“It was a special night,” said head coach Richard Pitino. “We wanted to finish it the right way and do it in this building, in front of one of the best fanbases in college basketball. To go wire-to-wire, I am so very proud of our guys. Nelly was phenomenal tonight, and so was Donovan. Our defense in the second half was much better, and we were able to get a win over a good UNLV team.”
What’s Next?
The Lobos enter the Mountain West Tournament as the No. 1 seed and will face either San Jose State or Wyoming in the quarterfinals. With their eyes now set on postseason glory, New Mexico has all the momentum needed to make a deep run in both the conference tournament and beyond.
Dent, Pitino, Joseph, and Washington Garner Conference Honors
The accolades continued for the Lobos as the Mountain West announced its annual awards. Star junior guard Donovan Dent was named Mountain West Player of the Year, while head coach Richard Pitino was honored as the Steve Fisher Mountain West Coach of the Year. Senior forward Nelly Junior Joseph joined Dent on the All-Mountain West First Team, while sophomore guard Tru Washington earned an honorable mention nod.
Dent’s historic season saw him lead the conference in scoring (20.9 PPG) while finishing second in assists (6.0 APG). His all-around excellence placed him in the top ten in field goal percentage, free throw percentage, steals, and blocks. Pitino’s coaching prowess guided New Mexico to its most regular-season wins in over a decade, earning him his second career conference Coach of the Year award (previously winning in the Big Ten in 2017). Joseph, a double-double machine, dominated the boards and shot an impressive 56.9% from the field while leading the league in rebounding.
Lobos’ Season Ends in Mountain West Quarterfinals Against San Diego State
The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team saw its season come to a close on Monday in the Mountain West quarterfinals, as a strong first-quarter start was undone by a dominant third-quarter performance from San Diego State. The Lobos fell 63-53 in a game that showcased their defensive tenacity but ultimately exposed offensive struggles down the stretch.
Joana Magalhães led New Mexico with 10 points, while Alyssa Hargrove contributed nine. Both players also tallied four steals, highlighting a defensive effort that saw UNM force 10 steals as a team.
Fast Start Fizzles in Second Half
The Lobos came out firing, with Magalhães draining a three-pointer to open the scoring, followed by a layup from Hulda Joaquim to take an early 5-2 lead. Another three from Magalhães extended the margin to 8-2 before the Aztecs clawed back to tie the game at 10. However, an Amhyia Moreland basket reignited the Lobos’ offense, helping them maintain a lead throughout the first quarter. By the end of the opening period, UNM held a 20-15 advantage, fueled by 53.3% shooting from the field and Magalhães’ early contributions of two three-pointers and two steals.
The second quarter saw the Lobos continue to dictate play, stretching their lead to 26-18 after a Destinee Hooks layup with 6:29 remaining. However, the Aztecs responded with a run of their own, cutting the lead to just one at 26-25. A clutch three-pointer from Hargrove briefly gave New Mexico breathing room, but SDSU surged ahead at 32-31 with just over two minutes left. The teams entered halftime deadlocked at 33 following a Hargrove layup in the final minute.
At the break, UNM had connected on 51.9% of its shots from the field and 40% from beyond the arc. Magalhães led all scorers with 10 points, while Hargrove added seven along with three assists. Defensively, the duo spearheaded a strong first half with two steals each.
Third-Quarter Collapse Seals Lobos’ Fate
Coming out of halftime, both teams struggled to score until SDSU broke through at the 7:36 mark. The Aztecs then exploded on a 12-0 run, completely flipping the momentum of the game. The Lobos’ offense stalled, going scoreless for over seven minutes before Drew Jordon finally put UNM on the board with a layup at the 3:06 mark. However, the Aztecs continued to extend their lead, going on a 6-1 run to push the margin to 15 points at 51-36. A Joaquim layup just before the buzzer made it 51-38 entering the fourth.
The Lobos shot just 16.7% in the third quarter, managing only five points, a stark contrast from their efficient first half.
Late Push Falls Short
SDSU opened the final quarter with a three-pointer, widening the gap to 16 points. The Lobos showed resilience, responding with a 7-0 run over nearly three minutes to trim the deficit to nine with 5:13 remaining. Despite the late surge, they could not get any closer, as the Aztecs maintained control to close out the 63-53 victory.
The loss ends New Mexico’s season with an 18-14 record, as they now bid farewell to graduating seniors Amhyia Moreland, Hulda Joaquim, and Viané Cumber.
Three Lobos Earn All-Mountain West Honors
The University of New Mexico women’s basketball program had three players recognized in the Mountain West Conference’s annual awards, as announced on Sunday.
Senior Viané Cumber earned her first career All-Mountain West selection, junior Destinee Hooks received honorable mention honors, and standout freshman Joana Magalhães secured a spot on the All-Freshman Team.
Cumber was one of 10 players named to the All-Mountain West team after an outstanding season. She led the conference in three-pointers per game (2.6) and three-point field goal percentage (35.9%) while also finishing second in free throw percentage at 87.3%. The sharpshooter tallied 47 three-pointers in conference play—eight more than any other MW player—and averaged 15.2 points per game, ranking 10th in the league. Cumber delivered 13 double-figure scoring performances, including six games of 20 or more points, and had a career-high 27-point outing against Boise State. She also recorded one double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds at Colorado State, rounding out a stellar senior campaign.
Hooks, in her first season with the Lobos, was a key offensive contributor, scoring in double figures in 15 conference games. She averaged 14.2 points per game, finishing 11th in the Mountain West in scoring while shooting 42% from the field. Hooks also had two 20-plus-point performances, including a season-high 27 against UNLV, and provided a defensive presence with multiple steals in six games.
Magalhães made an immediate impact in her freshman year, starting 17 games and reaching double figures in 10. She posted a season-high 20 points at Colorado State while averaging 9.8 points per game in conference play. She ranked 18th in rebounding (5.2 RPG), second on the team, and was among the top 15 in the league in assists (2.6), steals (1.4), and defensive rebounds (4.6). Defensively, she recorded at least one steal in 12 games and had multiple steals in eight, including four games with three or more.
With a mix of veteran leadership and young talent, the Lobos will look to build on this season’s achievements and return stronger next year as they aim for greater success in the Mountain West.