Momentum continues to build across University of New Mexico athletics as December turns toward conference play. The Lobo men’s basketball team closed non-conference action with back-to-back quality wins, including a breakthrough road victory at VCU and a defensive-minded home win over Florida Gulf Coast. On the women’s side, UNM capped non-conference play with a commanding performance against Houston, while Lobo football added another historic accolade as Keyshawn James-Newby earned national All-America recognition ahead of UNM’s upcoming bowl appearance.
Men’s Basketball Breaks Through on the Road at VCU
New Mexico took a major step forward Wednesday night, securing its first road win of the season with an 81–78 victory at VCU inside the Siegel Center. The win extended UNM’s streak to five games and handed the Rams their first home non-conference loss in two years.
Freshman Jake Hall delivered the defining performance of the night, tying a career high with 24 points—his fourth 20-point game of the season, a mark that ties the UNM freshman record. Deyton Albury added 14 points, while Tomislav Buljan chipped in 11 as the Lobos survived a late VCU push.
VCU controlled much of the first half, opening on an 8–0 run and carrying a 46–41 lead into the break despite UNM closing strong behind Hall’s 14 first-half points. The Lobos flipped the script early in the second half, ripping off a 9–1 run to seize the lead before trading momentum through the middle stages.
The decisive stretch came with just under nine minutes remaining, when UNM erupted for a 14–0 run to open a double-digit cushion. VCU answered with a run of its own to tie the game at 75, but Hall drilled a critical three-pointer with 2:30 left, and Uriah Tenette calmly knocked down free throws in the closing moments. Buljan secured the final rebound and sealed the game at the line with 1.8 seconds remaining.
The victory marked UNM’s first true road win in the Eastern Time Zone since 2013 and its first top-50 KenPom non-conference road win since 2022–23.
Lobos Lock Down FGCU to Close Non-Conference Play at The Pit
Four days later, New Mexico returned home and closed its non-conference slate with a 75–59 win over Florida Gulf Coast, extending its overall win streak to six and improving to 9–2.
The Lobos overcame a sluggish offensive start, falling behind 9–0 and shooting just 30 percent in the first half. Despite the slow beginning, UNM’s defense kept the game within reach, and a pair of late first-half runs allowed the Lobos to take a 28–25 lead into the locker room.
Antonio Chol took over after the break, scoring 11 of his team-high 14 points in the second half. Deyton Albury and Jake Hall each finished with 12 points, while JT Rock added 10 off the bench as UNM steadily pulled away.
The Lobos created separation midway through the second half, pushing their lead to double digits before delivering the knockout blow with a 13–0 run that stretched the margin to 25 points. UNM’s defense held FGCU without a double-figure scorer, marking just the second time in two weeks the Lobos accomplished the feat.
The win extended UNM’s home winning streak to 18 games—tied for the fifth-longest active streak in the nation—and capped what head coach Eric Olen called a “pretty solid” non-conference slate as the Lobos prepare to defend their Mountain West title.
Conference play begins Saturday night at The Pit against San Jose State.
James-Newby Earns National Recognition Ahead of Bowl Game
While the basketball programs surged, Lobo football added another historic milestone. Defensive standout Keyshawn James-Newby was named a Third Team All-American by Pro Football & Sports Network, becoming the first Lobo to earn All-America honors since 2013.
James-Newby led the Mountain West with eight sacks and ranked second in the league with 13 tackles for loss, anchoring a defense that powered UNM’s nine-win season. His impact showed up in the biggest moments—forcing a fumble against San Diego State in the regular-season finale, recording sacks in four straight games, and disrupting late-game drives against both UNLV and Boise State.
Advanced metrics further underscored his dominance. Per Pro Football Focus, James-Newby led all Mountain West players in total pressures (63) and hurries (45) and ranked among the top defenders nationally in both categories, regardless of position.
He and the Lobos now turn their focus to the postseason, as UNM prepares to face Minnesota in the Rate Bowl on December 26 at Chase Field in Phoenix.
Women’s Basketball Dominates Houston to Finish Non-Conference Play
The New Mexico women’s basketball team closed non-conference play in emphatic fashion Saturday night, rolling past Houston 63–41 behind a balanced attack and a suffocating defensive performance.
The win marked UNM’s second victory over a Power Four opponent this season and its sixth under head coach Mike Bradbury. It was also the fewest points Houston had scored all year and the second-largest margin of victory in the series.
Jessie Joaquim led the way with a game- and season-high 13 points and 12 rebounds, recording the Lobos’ first double-double of the season. Destinee Hooks added 12 points to extend her double-digit scoring streak, while Alyssa Hargrove and Joana Magalhães chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
UNM controlled the game almost from the opening tip, leading for 38 of 40 minutes and building a double-digit advantage by the end of the first quarter. The Lobos held Houston to just 22.8 percent shooting for the game, forcing turnovers and dominating both ends of the floor.
A decisive 9–0 run in the third quarter stretched the margin beyond reach, and UNM continued to widen the gap in the fourth, pushing the lead as high as 24. The Lobos finished with advantages in nearly every statistical category, including shooting percentage, assists, steals, and blocks.
With the win, UNM improved to 8–3 and now turns its attention to conference play, opening Mountain West action at home against Boise State on December 17.