The Lobo men’s basketball team demonstrated their prowess in a commanding 95-67 win over Fresno State in The Pit on Monday afternoon. This decisive victory improved the Lobos’ record to 16-4 overall and 8-1 within the Mountain West, reinforcing their position atop the conference. In contrast, the Fresno State Bulldogs fell to a dismal 5-14, struggling in their Mountain West campaign with a record of 1-7.
Key Performances
Sophomore guard Donovan Dent emerged as the standout performer for New Mexico, delivering a stellar performance with 20 points and nine assists, committing no turnovers throughout the game. Nelly Junior Joseph recorded a double-double with 10 points and a remarkable 15 rebounds, customizing his gameplay as he claimed his ninth such achievement this season. Off the bench, Mustapha Amzil scored 15 points, while Tru Washington and Jovan Milicevic contributed 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Game Breakdown
The Lobos wasted no time asserting their dominance, sprinting to a rapid 16-0 lead within the first five minutes of the game. Fresno State struggled to find their rhythm, forcing two timeouts as the Lobos extended the lead to 25-4. However, the Bulldogs responded with a 13-0 run, temporarily narrowing the gap to 25-17. New Mexico quickly countered, igniting a 10-0 scoring run to establish a 35-17 lead before entering halftime with a comfortable 45-27 advantage, thanks in part to Washington’s 13-point first half.
The second half continued the trend, with the Lobos rapidly extending their lead to 57-31 in the opening four minutes. Despite a brief resurgence from Fresno State, New Mexico maintained control of the game, pushing the margin back to 29 points at one point in the second half. The Lobos secured their victory, closing out the final minutes with a formidable performance to win 95-67.
Historical Significance
This win marks the Lobos’ excellent start to Mountain West play, going 8-1 for only the second time in their history, matching their start from the 2013-14 season. Notably, this marked the first time in their last two consecutive games that the Lobos led wire-to-wire, exhibiting their strong offensive and defensive setups.
Head coach Richard Pitino emphasized the importance of teamwork and preparation in his post-game comments: “It was a great win. We anticipated they would play us all zone. I thought our guys were ready to go and we played unselfish basketball.” His comments reflect the team’s focus on maximizing their strengths against various defensive schemes.
The Lobos prepare to take their momentum on the road, facing UNLV on January 25 and Utah State on February 1, before returning home for a matchup against Colorado State on February 5.
New Mexico Unstoppable Against Boise State, Claim 84-65 Victory
The Lobos also captured another win Friday night, handily defeating Boise State with an 84-65 scoreline. This win consolidates their position at the top of the Mountain West standings, as they improve to a 15-4 overall record and 7-1 in conference play. Meanwhile, Boise State, now 13-6 overall and 5-3 in the Mountain West, suffered their largest loss margin this season.
Leading the Lobos once again was Donovan Dent, contributing 16 points alongside seven assists in a commendable performance. Nelly Junior Joseph nearly recorded a double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Filip Borovicanin provided a strong presence on the boards with ten rebounds. Meanwhile, Tru Washington and Mustapha Amzil each chipped in with 13 and 11 points, respectively.
The Lobos set the tone early with an 8-0 run, establishing control right from the start. Their defense stifled the Broncos, allowing New Mexico to build a significant lead. By halftime, the Lobos had ballooned their lead to 48-21, showcasing a dominant first-half performance led by Dent’s 14 points and six assists.
Despite a push from Boise State at the beginning of the second half, the Lobos quickly responded, maintaining a healthy margin throughout the game. A late surge from the Broncos closed the gap to 18 points, but New Mexico held firm, ultimately sealing the victory with a final score of 84-65.
After the game, Coach Pitino commented: “That first half absolutely was about as good of basketball that I have seen in my 13 years as a head coach.” His words echo the exceptional teamwork and strategic execution that defined his team’s performance.
Record-Breaking Dive Performance as UNM Swimming Faces Mixed Results
The University of New Mexico women’s swimming and diving team culminated their weekend at a quad-meet with solid individual performances, particularly from Isabella Gomez, who delivered an impressive win in the 1-meter dive with an NCAA Zone qualifying score.
Despite Gomez’s standout performance, the team faced tough competition and emerged with a record of 1-2, defeating Seattle 184-159 but falling short against both Air Force and Colorado State in the three-way meet. Overall, Colorado State excelled with a perfect 3-0 record, while Air Force went 2-1, and Seattle struggled without any wins.
Gomez’s Performance
Gomez clinched victory in the 1-meter with a score of 280.40, surpassing her previous best and securing her place for NCAA Zone qualification. Her performance significantly contributed to the team’s morale, as she won by a significant margin of over 26 points against Air Force’s JiaQi Deng.
Two of her teammates, Alice English and Arianna Pelligra, finished sixth and seventh, respectively, showing strong pool performances with scores of 245.25 and a season-best of 238.10.
In the 3-meter dive, Gomez again displayed her talent alongside English, who finished fourth. The two divers were instrumental in gathering points for the team during the tightly contested meet.
Outstanding Swimmers
Ellie Broughton particularly excelled in the 1,000-yard freestyle, posting UNM’s top time of the season at 10:57.56, which adjusts to an impressive altitude-converted time of 10:39.06. Her performance marked a successful debut in this event.
Linda Franco showcased all-around talent by participating in five different events and garnering points in relays as well. Sophia Corder contributed to the relay efforts and made her presence felt despite engaging in just one individual event, helping her team maximize points.
The return of Anna Kartushyn, who nearly bested her season-best time in the 100-yard breast, added depth to the squad as they battled through their challenging schedule.
The Lobos are gearing up for their next competition on February 1 against Northern Arizona, aiming to build on their successes from this meet and improve their overall standing.
Lobo Women’s Basketball Set Season Highs in Dominant Win Over Utah State
The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team reached new heights in their recent encounter with Utah State, triumphing 101-79. This performance was not only a testament to their scoring ability but also marked a significant milestone as the Lobos scored a season-high of 101 points.
Four Lobos achieved double figures, with Viané Cumber leading the charge. She tied her career high with an impressive 25 points, including five three-pointers and a personal-best six assists. Additionally, Alyssa Hargrove contributed with 20 points, maintaining an impressive shooting percentage of 8-9 while also recording nine assists and eight rebounds.
Freshman Joana Magalhães added to the scoreboard with 17 points, showcasing her growing prowess in her debut season, while Destinee Hooks rounded out the solid offensive unit with 15 points, including four assists.
The Lobos surged into the lead early, scoring 53 points in the second half alone. They dominated the scoreboard for a majority of the game, showcasing resilience as they established their rhythm. After a stable first quarter, UNM gained momentum, going on consecutive runs to pull away from Utah State.
Cumber particularly excelled in the third quarter, racking up 13 of her total points during that period. The Lobos rallied to achieve a significant advantage, demonstrating their scoring prowess while maintaining a defensive edge.
Following the victory, head coach Mike Bradbury praised his team’s performance, emphasizing the importance of their rhythm and ball movement skills in achieving a high-scoring game. His strategic focus on developing shooting efficiency played a crucial role in this impressive win.
With this victory, the Lobos improved to 13-7 overall and 6-1 in the Mountain West, where they remain a formidable contender. The team is set to clash with Fresno State next, looking to carry their momentum and continue their winning form.
UNM Lobos Narrowly Defeat Rams in 78-74 Victory
The New Mexico women’s basketball team faced a challenging encounter against Colorado State, narrowly clinching a 78-74 victory. The triumph showcased their resilience as they led for a substantial part of the match, demonstrating their competitive spirit.
Viané Cumber stood out once again, matching her career high with 25 points while also securing 11 rebounds to achieve her third double-double of the season. Joana Magalhães supported Cumber’s efforts on scoring with a season-high performance of 20 points, further emphasizing her integral role in the team.
The Lobos made a strong defensive statement, limiting the Rams’ scoring while capitalizing on fast breaks and critical scoring opportunities, particularly in the first quarter. They established an early lead with a robust 8-0 run, setting the tone for the contest.
Despite their strong start, Colorado State managed to threaten the Lobos’ lead in the final minutes. Each team showcased their strengths, resulting in an intense final quarter. The Lobos maintained composure, relying on their shooting prowess in free-throw scenarios to secure the win.
Cumber’s performance under pressure and her scoring in crucial moments highlighted her leadership and determination. Her efforts to contribute in multiple areas, including rebounding and assists, solidified her pivotal role within the team.
Post-game, Coach Bradbury reflected on the significance of the win, particularly in a venue that has historically posed challenges for the Lobos. His acknowledgment of the need for sustained focus and effort bodes well for the team’s preparation for upcoming matches.
Having achieved this hard-fought victory, the Lobos will look to build on their recent successes as they prepare for their next match against Fresno State. The Lobos are determined to continue their upward trajectory as they seek to solidify their position in the Mountain West standings.
Lobos Tennis Set for Challenge at ITA Kickoff Classic
The UNM Women’s Tennis team is preparing for a tough opening to their season as they gear up for the prestigious ITA Kickoff Classic in Charlottesville, Virginia. Coming off a successful previous season in which they secured the Mountain West regular-season title, the Lobos will face a formidable challenge.
The Lobos kick off their season with a match against No. 9 Virginia on Friday at 11 am Mountain Time, followed by a potential matchup against No. 11 Duke or No. 20 South Carolina on Saturday. Virginia currently boasts a 4-0 record, coming off a recent win against No. 9 North Carolina.
Although the Lobos lost key players from their championship-winning squad, they return five impactful seniors who are pivotal to their campaign. Maria Sodre leads the pack, supported by veterans Sarah O’Connor, as well as twins Maud and Bente Vandeputte, each expected to contribute significantly in singles and doubles matches.
UNM has also brought in two newcomers to bolster the lineup – Rebekkah Gaines, a transfer from Florida A&M, and freshman Maria Matsoukatidi, both of whom demonstrated solid performances in their respective fall campaigns.
As the Lobos embark on this challenging tournament, the upcoming matches will serve as key indicators of their competitive standing in the national landscape. They will return to home turf following the event to host multiple matches, giving them ample opportunity to capitalize on their early season experiences.
All matches during the ITA Kickoff Weekend will be streamed live, ensuring fans can follow the Lobos as they aim to make a strong impression against some of the top collegiate competition.
