The madness of March is here, and the New Mexico Lobos are ready to dance. Fresh off a stellar season that saw them claim the Mountain West regular-season championship, the Lobos (26-7) are heading to Cleveland for the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Slotted as the No. 10 seed in the South Region, New Mexico will face No. 7 seed Marquette in a high-stakes showdown at Rocket Arena on Friday.
Lobos on a Mission
This year’s squad, led by Mountain West Player of the Year Donovan Dent and first-team all-conference selection Nelly Junior Joseph, has its sights set on making a deep run. Dent, who has been nothing short of sensational, continues to set records and elevate his team in crunch time. Meanwhile, head coach Richard Pitino has been named the Mountain West Coach of the Year after guiding the Lobos to their first regular-season title in 12 years.
The Lobos are making their 17th NCAA Tournament appearance and their second straight under Pitino’s leadership. Their last tournament victory came in 2012 when they knocked off Long Beach State before falling to Louisville. Now, they’re determined to add to their March Madness legacy.
Scouting Marquette
Marquette (23-10) enters the tournament after a solid campaign in the Big East, finishing 13-7 in conference play. The Golden Eagles suffered a tough 79-63 loss to St. John’s in the Big East semifinals but remain a formidable opponent.
The last time these two teams met was during the 2013-14 season, with the Lobos claiming a 75-68 victory in Las Vegas. New Mexico will look to replicate that success as they prepare for what promises to be an intense battle.
Lobos’ Road to the Big Dance
The Lobos’ NCAA Tournament bid comes on the heels of a hard-fought Mountain West Tournament campaign. After advancing to the semifinals with a 63-52 win over San Jose State, New Mexico fell just short against Boise State, losing a nail-biter 72-69.
In that semifinal clash, Dent put up 23 points and five assists, continuing his streak of dominance. Joseph contributed 19 points and eight rebounds, while Tru Washington and Mustapha Amzil each added 10 points. Despite leading for much of the game, the Lobos couldn’t hold off a late push by the Broncos, setting up a tense wait for Selection Sunday.
Lobo Stars Earning National Recognition
The Lobos’ success this season hasn’t gone unnoticed. Dent, Joseph, and Pitino were all honored by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), with Dent and Joseph earning first-team All-District honors and Pitino being named Mountain District Coach of the Year.
Dent has cemented his place in history as the first player in Mountain West history to average 20 points and six assists in conference play. Joseph, a double-double machine, ranks among the nation’s top rebounders. Pitino, in just his third season with New Mexico, has revitalized the program and guided the Lobos back to national relevance.
What’s Next?
With a battle-tested roster and a hunger for tournament success, the Lobos are poised to make waves in March Madness. Their matchup against Marquette will be a true test of their resilience, but if this season has proven anything, it’s that New Mexico won’t back down from a challenge.
As the countdown to tipoff begins, one thing is certain: the Lobos are ready to put on a show in Cleveland. Stay tuned for more updates as they look to make history in the NCAA Tournament.
Lobos Drop Tight One at CSU, 4-3
The Lobo Women’s Tennis program suffered their first conference loss of the season in heartbreaking fashion, as Colorado State rallied from a 3-1 deficit to claim a 4-3 victory.
UNM took an early advantage, securing the doubles point with a 6-4 victory from Rebekkah Gaines and Maria Sodre at No. 1 doubles, coupled with a forfeit by CSU at No. 3 doubles. The Lobos extended their lead to 2-0 with another CSU forfeit at No. 6 singles, putting them just two wins away from victory.
Maud Vandeputte delivered one of those wins at No. 1 singles, defeating Sarah Weekley 6-4, 6-0 to make it 3-1. However, the Lobos struggled in the remaining matches, dropping the first sets at Nos. 2, 3, and 4 singles. Despite fighting back, tiebreakers proved costly. Sarah O’Connor fell 6-2, 7-6 (7-5), Maria Sodre lost 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, and Gaines came up short in a 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 battle.
UNM now returns home after an eight-match road stretch, hosting Utah State on Friday at 11 a.m. before heading back on the road to face UNLV on Sunday at noon.
Taborga Clinches Thriller as Lobos Edge Wyoming, 4-3
The Mountain West opener was a nail-biter, but Sofia Taborga delivered in dramatic fashion, winning the decisive third set 6-4 to lift UNM to a 4-3 victory over Wyoming.
With only four indoor courts available, Taborga and her opponent, Serina Abriola, couldn’t start their match until the Lobos were already up 2-1. The long wait and extended match pushed the overall runtime past four hours, but it was worth it in the end.
UNM dropped the doubles point despite a 7-5 win from Maud Vandeputte and Coumba Ben Niangadou at No. 2 doubles. At No. 1, Maria Sodre and Rebekkah Gaines narrowly lost 7-5, giving Wyoming the 1-0 lead.
The Lobos responded in singles. Gaines dominated at No. 3 with a 6-1, 6-2 win, while Vandeputte remained undefeated at No. 1 with a 6-4, 6-3 victory. Wyoming evened things up with a 6-3, 7-5 win by Dilnaz Mashabeyeva over Sodre, but Sarah O’Connor came through at No. 2 with a comeback 3-6, 6-1, 6-3 win, making it 3-2 UNM.
Elena Trencheva tied the match for Wyoming with a 6-4, 6-4 win at No. 5, leaving it all up to Taborga. Down 4-2 in the final set, she broke back to tie it 4-4, held serve, and then broke Abriola once more to secure the 6-4 win.
NOTES: Vandeputte, Taborga, and Sodre each have a team-leading 11 wins this season. Vandeputte and Ben Niangadou became UNM’s 14th different doubles pairing this year, and Ben Niangadou is now Vandeputte’s sixth partner of the season.
Lobos Dominate NMSU, 6-1
In their first match as a ranked team this season, the Lobo Men’s Tennis Team looked every bit the part, rolling past rival New Mexico State with a commanding 6-1 victory.
UNM jumped ahead early by winning two of the three doubles matches. No. 70 Aram Noroozian and Georgio Samaha cruised to a 6-1 win at No. 1, followed by a 6-4 victory from Daniil Kakhniuk and Nicolas Recoura. The third match, featuring Aditya Balsekar and Avery Tallakson, was all but secured at 5-2 before the clinch.
The Lobos wasted no time in singles, quickly securing the overall win. Noroozian continued his dominant season with a 6-2, 6-1 triumph over Itay Feigin at No. 1. Dario Ciobotaru followed with a 6-3, 6-1 win at No. 3, and Kakhniuk clinched the team victory with a 7-5, 6-0 decision over Matias Rojas.
Tallakson added to the tally with a 7-5, 6-2 win at No. 6, while Samaha battled through three sets to earn a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 win. NMSU’s lone point came at No. 2, where Balsekar lost a pair of tiebreakers, falling 7-6 (7-1), 4-6, 1-0 (10-6).
UNM returns home for three straight matches, starting with Northern Arizona on Friday at 3 p.m., followed by UTSA on Sunday at 11 a.m., both at McKinnon Family Tennis Stadium.
Lobos Clinch Series Victory Over Spartans with Gritty 6-4 Win
The New Mexico Lobos secured a hard-fought series win over the San José State Spartans on Sunday, using a balanced offensive attack and a strong pitching performance to claim a 6-4 victory at home. With runs spread across multiple innings, the Lobos showcased resilience and timely hitting to seal the win.
Archuleta Shines at the Plate
Ashley Archuleta put on an offensive clinic, going a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with two doubles, setting the tone for the Lobos’ lineup. DeNae Vasquez-Dickson and Hayden Luderer contributed clutch performances, each driving in two runs. Vasquez-Dickson launched her first home run of the season, a key moment that helped the Lobos level the game early, while Luderer added two doubles to her tally.
Joining Vasquez-Dickson in the home run club, Katherine Brunner blasted a solo shot in the fifth inning, tying the game and igniting the Lobos’ offense for a crucial three-run rally.
Guest Goes the Distance
On the mound, sophomore McKenna Guest delivered a gutsy complete-game performance—her sixth of the season and the eighth for the team. Guest improved to 11-5 on the year, striking out five batters while allowing four runs, only two of which were earned. Her ability to work out of tough situations kept the Lobos in control throughout the game.
Early Fireworks and Mid-Game Momentum
The Spartans struck first, plating two runs in the top of the opening inning before Guest stranded the bases loaded with a crucial strikeout. However, UNM wasted no time responding, as Archuleta roped a double off the center-field wall before Vasquez-Dickson crushed a 1-0 pitch over the fence to quickly even the score at 2-2.
Strong defensive plays highlighted the second and third innings, with the Lobos shutting down Spartan threats. A key flyout by Allie Williams in right field and sharp fielding from Guest and Luderer in center kept SJSU from regaining the lead.
San José State broke the tie in the fourth, capitalizing on a pair of walks and a sacrifice fly to inch ahead 3-2. But the Lobos responded with a statement inning in the fifth, scoring three runs on three hits. Brunner’s solo homer sparked the rally, followed by Archuleta’s single and a bases-loaded at-bat where Luderer delivered a two-run single, giving the Lobos a 5-3 advantage.
Guest shut down the Spartans in order in the sixth, allowing UNM to tack on an insurance run in the bottom half of the inning. Archuleta’s second double of the game set up the opportunity, and Williams’ sacrifice fly brought home Emma Bramson for a 6-3 lead.
A late Spartan push in the seventh, fueled by a fielding error and an RBI double, threatened UNM’s lead, but Guest responded with a game-ending strikeout to secure the victory.
With the win, the Lobos improved to 16-13-1 overall and 2-1 in Mountain West play. Next up, UNM hits the road to face UTEP on Tuesday before resuming conference play against San Diego State from March 21-23.
DeLeon Delivers Walk-Off Winner in Thrilling Game Two
In dramatic fashion, Jessica DeLeon played hero on Saturday, delivering a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh to lift the Lobos to a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Spartans. After DeNae Vasquez-Dickson led off the inning with a double, DeLeon wasted no time, sending a 1-0 pitch through the right side to bring home the winning run.
DeLeon paced the Lobos offensively with a stellar 3-for-4 outing, including a third-inning double that helped set up an earlier run. Miracle McKenzie provided key run support, driving in two runs across the third and fifth innings.
Back-and-Forth Battle
The Spartans opened the scoring with a leadoff home run, but UNM quickly responded with a two-run second inning. A bases-loaded walk tied the game at 1-1 before a deep sacrifice fly from Archuleta pushed the Lobos ahead.
DeLeon and McKenzie extended the lead in the third, stringing together a double and an RBI single, making it 3-1. However, the Spartans rallied in the fifth, knotting the game at 3-3 with a two-run burst.
UNM briefly reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the fifth when McKenzie reached on a fielder’s choice, allowing a run to score. However, San José State tied it again in the seventh with back-to-back doubles.
That set the stage for Vasquez-Dickson’s leadoff double and DeLeon’s heroics, as the Lobos needed just three batters to secure the walk-off win.
Fritz and Guest Handle the Circle
Natalie Fritz started the game, going 4.1 innings with three strikeouts and no walks, allowing three runs on five hits. Guest came in relief for the final 2.2 innings, earning her 10th win of the season as the Lobos moved to 1-1 in conference play and 15-13-1 overall.
Lobos Struggle in MW Opener, Fall to Spartans 12-3
The series opener on Friday proved challenging for UNM as walks and defensive miscues paved the way for San José State’s 12-3 victory in five innings. A disastrous third inning, in which the Lobos issued five consecutive walks, allowed the Spartans to plate five runs on just two hits.
Despite a three-run rally in the bottom of the third—sparked by a two-run double from DeLeon and an RBI single by McKenzie—the Lobos couldn’t contain the Spartans’ offense, which tacked on six runs in the fifth to put the game out of reach.
Williams, McKenzie, and DeLeon accounted for the Lobos’ three hits, but it wasn’t enough to overcome San José State’s relentless attack.
McKenzie Earns Mountain West Freshman of the Week Honors
For the second consecutive week, a Lobo has earned Mountain West Freshman of the Week honors, with Miracle McKenzie claiming the accolade on Monday.
McKenzie’s clutch performances in the series against SJSU solidified her selection, as she led UNM with four RBI and hit .429 with a .556 on-base percentage. She played a pivotal role in the Lobos’ two victories, delivering multiple two-RBI games and consistently advancing runners in scoring situations.
In Saturday’s walk-off win, McKenzie’s RBI single in the third made it 3-1, and her fielder’s choice in the fifth provided a critical go-ahead run. She continued her strong play on Sunday, grinding out a 10-pitch walk to load the bases before Luderer’s two-run double sealed the game.
With two freshman honors in as many weeks, McKenzie and the Lobos continue to build momentum as conference play heats up.
Lobos Walk Off UNLV, Complete Weekend Sweep in Thrilling Finale
New Mexico (11-9, 3-0 MW) capped off a dramatic series sweep over UNLV (11-8, 0-3 MW) with an 11-8 win Sunday at Santa Ana Star Field, scoring five runs in the bottom of the ninth to complete a thrilling comeback.
With the win, the Lobos improved to 3-0 in Mountain West play, marking their second consecutive season sweeping UNLV at home in the opening conference series. New Mexico is the only team in the Mountain West to finish the opening weekend of league play undefeated.
Trailing 8-2 after UNLV’s seven-run surge in the fifth and sixth innings, the Lobos responded with nine unanswered runs in the final three frames. Andrew Neil (2-for-4, 2 HR, 5 RBI) played the hero, hitting a three-run homer in the ninth to seal the victory. His two home runs—his first two in his UNM career—came in the first and final at-bats of the game. Neil tied the game with a solo shot in the first inning and struck out twice before his clutch ninth-inning performance.
Jordy Oriach (2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI) also homered—his team-leading seventh of the season—while Will Asby (2-for-4, RBI), Josh McAlister (2-for-4), and Khalil Walker (2-for-5, 2B, RBI) each contributed with key hits in the Lobos’ 13-hit offensive attack.
On the mound, RHP Josh Barnhouse (2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K) earned the win in relief, retiring all seven batters he faced in a dominant finish. Starter RHP Dayne Pengelly (4.2 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 K) minimized the damage after an early Rebels’ outburst, while RHP Luke Wiseman (1.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER) and RHP Diego Alvarez (1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER) helped bridge the gap before Barnhouse closed it out. Despite giving up 18 hits, the UNM pitchers held UNLV to eight runs and stranded 13 Rebel runners.
Lobos Run-Rule UNLV 13-3 to Clinch Series
The Lobos (10-9, 2-0 MW) clinched their first Mountain West series victory of the season in dominant fashion Saturday, overwhelming UNLV (11-7, 0-2 MW) 13-3 in eight innings. New Mexico exploded for 10 runs in the second, third, and fifth innings, backed by an outstanding eight-inning performance from RHP Ryan Castillo.
The Rebels took an early 3-0 lead, but the Lobos responded with three runs in the second inning and then broke the game open with five in the third. They added two more in the fifth and sealed the victory with a three-run eighth, finishing with 14 hits to UNLV’s eight.
Six Lobos recorded multiple hits, with five driving in multiple runs. Akili Carris (3-for-4, 3 R, 2B), Josh McAlister (2-for-3, 3 R, 2B, 2 RBI), Ethan Ott (2-for-3, 2 R, RBI), and Caleb Herd (2-for-3, HR, 4 RBI) led the charge, while Karsen Waslefsky (3-for-4, 5 RBI, 2B) had a career-high five RBIs.
Castillo (8.0 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 8 K) earned the win with a career-best outing, throwing 105 pitches, 74 of which were strikes. He retired 13 of the last 15 batters he faced, allowing just two hits after the fourth inning.
Lobos Triumph in MW Opener, 12-6
New Mexico (9-9, 1-0 MW) opened Mountain West play with a 12-6 victory over UNLV (11-6, 0-1 MW) on Friday night at Santa Ana Star Field, snapping a four-game losing streak. The Lobos piled on 16 hits, including six extra-base hits, to defeat the Rebels.
After struggling early, New Mexico broke through with five runs in the fourth, added three in the fifth, and sealed the game with four more in the eighth. Ethan Ott (2-for-5, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI, 2B) and Josh McAlister (3-for-4, 3 R, HR, 2 RBI) led the offensive charge with multi-run homers.
Tye Wood (2-for-4, 1 R, 2B, 2 RBI), Brodey Williams (2-for-5, 2 R, 2B, RBI), and Jordy Oriach (1-for-4, 2 R, 3B, RBI) contributed key hits, while Akili Carris (3-for-5, 2 R), Karsen Waslefsky (1-for-4, 2 RBI), and Khalil Walker (1 H, 1 RBI) rounded out the attack.
On the mound, Daxton Purser (5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K) earned his first win of the season, holding the Rebels to two runs over five solid innings. RHP Diego Alvarez (0.2 IP, 3 H, 4 ER), RHP Josh Barnhouse (2.1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER), and Ty Cunningham (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER) helped preserve the win.
SCHEDULE UPDATE: UNM’s Tuesday Game at Texas Tech Canceled
New Mexico’s scheduled Tuesday road game at Texas Tech has been canceled due to inclement weather in both Lubbock and Albuquerque.
The Lobos (11-9, 3-0 MW) will have four days off before traveling to Nevada (11-8, 1-2 MW) for a Mountain West series in Reno from March 21-23. The series will be available to stream for free on the MW Network, with additional coverage available on GoLobos.com/BSBGameDay. Follow @UNMLoboBaseball on Instagram, X, and Facebook for updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more.
Lobos Finish 12th at Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational
The New Mexico women’s golf team wrapped up play at the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational on Tuesday at the University of Texas Golf Club, finishing in 12th place with a 101-over total after a 35-over performance in the third round.
Host No. 7 Texas claimed victory with a 16-over finish, while No. 13 LSU, No. 2 Arkansas, No. 40 Tennessee, and No. 34 Oklahoma rounded out the top five.
Annie Saechueng posted the low round of the day for the Lobos with a 3-over 75, finishing the tournament at 24-over, tied for 50th overall. Chelsea Truong also ended at 24-over after an 85 in the final round. Maria Garcia finished at 26-over, Maria Caparros Levin at 30-over, and Rebecca Galasso rounded out the lineup with a 36-over finish.
The Lobos will close out their regular season at the PING/ASU Invitational in Phoenix from March 28-30.
Samuel, Kipkurui, and Kosgei Earn Second Team All-America Honors at NCAA Indoors
On the final day of the 2025 NCAA Indoor Championships, Habtom Samuel, Pamela Kosgei, and Ishmael Kipkurui all earned Second Team All-America honors in the 3,000m at the Virginia Beach Sports Center. Samuel and Kipkurui finished 9th and 14th in the men’s final, while Kosgei placed 12th in the women’s race.
Samuel, with his eighth career All-American honor, matched Alice Wright for the most All-American awards by any UNM athlete across cross country and track. Samuel, who led for much of the race, dropped to the back to conserve energy before making a final push from 15th to 9th in the last 600 meters. His time of 7:54.42 narrowly missed First Team honors by just 17 hundredths of a second. Freshman Ishmael Kipkurui, who finished 14th with a time of 7:58.43, earned his second All-America honor of the weekend.
Kosgei, after finishing third in the 5,000m final the day before, was positioned well to challenge for a top spot in the women’s 3,000m. However, a fall with less than 50 meters to go dropped her from third to 12th. Despite the setback, Kosgei finished with a time of 9:04.42, marking the fourth-fastest NCAA Indoor Championships race ever by a Lobo woman and her second All-America honor of the weekend.
The Lobo men finished tied for 26th in the team standings with 10 points, while Kosgei’s six points placed the women 32nd in the standings.
With the indoor season now complete, the Lobos will turn their attention to the outdoor season, with a week off before competing in four different meets, including the UNM Spring Invite on March 29.
Stokes Finishes 13th in NIC 100 Free
Arianna Stokes placed third in the B-Final of the 100-free at the CSCAA National Invitational Championships, finishing 13th overall and putting UNM on the board. The Lobos ended the meet in 46th place in the team standings. The competition also marked the final events for two of UNM’s seven seniors, Linda Franco and Jordan Foster.
Stokes, who qualified 13th overall in the 100-free, swam a time of 49.85 in the final, with a split of 24.00 that had her in second place by just 0.03 seconds in a tightly contested field. She finished third in the B-Final to secure her final placement. Foster, in her last collegiate race, competed in the 100 IM but finished 39th in the prelims with a time of 58.19, just missing the final.
In other events, Linda Franco and Sophia Corder participated in the 50-free time trial, with Franco placing third at 23.81 and Corder sixth at 24.32.