In a thrilling comeback, Georgio Samaha delivered a clutch three-set victory to propel the New Mexico Lobos to a 4-3 win over UT Arlington on Saturday. The victory marked the first of the season for UNM and the first under new head coach Rob Bareford.
The Lobos found themselves in an early deficit after dropping the doubles point, despite a win from the No. 1 duo of Aram Noroozian and Samaha. With singles play determining the outcome, UNM needed four wins to secure the match – and they delivered.
Aram Noroozian and Avery Tallakson led the charge with straight-set wins, bringing the match to a 2-2 tie after Daniil Kakhniuk fell at No. 2 singles. As three remaining matches extended to a decisive third set, the Lobos seized momentum. Aditya Balsekar was on his way to victory when his opponent, Mattea Ricci, retired in the final set, giving UNM a crucial point. Dario Ciobotaru battled at No. 5 but narrowly lost in a tiebreaker, leaving the match tied at 3-3 with everything resting on Samaha’s shoulders.
The senior standout did not disappoint, securing a dominant 6-2 final set for his 74th career singles win and sealing the Lobos’ first triumph of the season. UNM now looks ahead to a tough matchup against Baylor on Sunday.
UNM Falls to No. 3 Baylor Despite Doubles Brilliance
WACO, Texas – The New Mexico Lobos ran into a powerhouse on Sunday, falling 6-1 to No. 3-ranked Baylor. Despite the loss, UNM’s top doubles team made a major statement, as Aram Noroozian and Georgio Samaha dominated the No. 3 nationally-ranked duo of Os Brostrom Poulsen and Marko Miladinovic, 6-2.
That impressive win helped UNM claim the doubles point and take an early 1-0 lead in the match. However, Baylor’s depth in singles play proved too much for the Lobos. Noroozian faced off against No. 25 Devin Badenhorst at the top spot but fell 6-4, 6-2, while Samaha pushed No. 58 Poulsen to three sets before ultimately losing 6-1, 1-6, 6-1. Aditya Balsekar also fought hard but fell to No. 54 Zsomber Velcz in a tight 7-6 (7-3), 6-1 battle.
The rest of the Lobos struggled to gain traction against Baylor’s nationally ranked roster, with Daniil Kakhniuk, Dario Ciobotaru, and Avery Tallakson all falling in straight sets. Despite the setback, UNM will have a week to regroup before facing Oregon, Louisiana, and Portland in a challenging three-match stretch from February 14-17.
Lobos Open Season with Tough Loss to SMU
UNIVERSITY PARK, Texas – The New Mexico Lobos kicked off their 2024 season against a tough SMU squad, falling 7-0 on the road. Facing a Mustangs team already deep into their season, the new-look Lobos struggled to find their footing.
UNM dropped the doubles point 2-0, with the clinch coming just before the No. 1 duo of Aram Noroozian and Georgio Samaha could finish their match, which stood at 5-3 when play was halted.
In singles action, SMU continued its dominance, sweeping all six matches. Noroozian, making his debut at No. 1 singles, faced No. 48 Trevor Svajda and battled early before falling 6-4, 6-0 in the match-clinching point. Other key losses included Dario Ciobotaru at No. 5 and Nicolas Recoura at No. 6, as the Mustangs quickly sealed the team victory.
The match was played out, with SMU taking wins at Nos. 2, 3, and 4 to complete the sweep. The Lobos now turn their attention to upcoming matchups in Texas, hoping to bounce back from a tough opening weekend.
Lobos Shine at Lumberjack Diving Invitational, Set Season-Best Marks
The New Mexico diving team continued to impress at the Lumberjack Diving Invitational, with Arianna Pelligra, Rithika Colvin, and Zoe Rinon all setting season-best marks in the 1-meter dive. Isabella Gomez led the way with a Zone-qualifying score of 279.05, finishing eighth overall on day two of the competition.
Pelligra, Colvin, and Rinon showcased their improvement in the consolation final, where Pelligra finished fourth, Colvin took seventh, and Rinon placed eighth. Their performances brought UNM’s total to four season-best marks over the first two days of the meet.
Gomez reached her second consecutive final, where she posted a 238.50 in the last round. However, her preliminary score of 279.05 secured another Zone-qualifying mark, just shy of her season-best. Pelligra improved her top score to 244.90, surpassing her previous best of 241.58 set against Wyoming. Colvin notched a 231.35, beating her earlier 226.20 from a dual meet against North Texas and Western Colorado, while Rinon improved to 225.45 from her prior 221.65.
The Lobos will conclude the Lumberjack Diving Invitational with the platform dive on Saturday before the swim team joins for a full dual meet against Northern Arizona.
Lobos Secure Seven Event Wins but Fall to Northern Arizona
The New Mexico swimming and diving team delivered its strongest performance of the season, winning seven of 16 events, including victories in both relays. However, Northern Arizona’s depth proved too much as the Lumberjacks secured a 171-122 dual meet win. Meanwhile, the Lobo divers wrapped up their weekend at the Lumberjack Diving Invitational, highlighted by a Zone-qualifying platform score of 236.10 from Arianna Pelligra.
Pelligra, who opted out of the finals to compete in the dual meet’s diving events, joined Isabella Gomez and Alice English as Lobos with Zone-qualifying scores in the platform dive—an event UNM rarely trains for in its home natatorium.
In the pool, the Lobos set the tone early, capturing both relay victories. The 200-yard medley relay team of Kaylah Yazzie, Emily Ford, Jordan Foster, and Arianna Stokes touched first with a time of 1:43.80. Later, Linda Franco, Stokes, Foster, and Sophia Corder claimed the 400-yard freestyle relay title in 3:29.65.
Stokes had a standout meet, securing two individual wins in the sprint freestyle events. She took first in the 50-free with a time of 22.99 and followed it up with a victory in the 100-free at 50.62.
Additional wins for the Lobos came from Alex McGill in the 100-backstroke (56.57), Ellie Broughton in the 1,650 freestyle (17:31.05 raw, 16:58.55 converted—UNM’s best time of the season), and Amaya Oliphant in the 200-breaststroke (2:23.17 raw, 2:21.57 converted), marking her season-best and the team’s second-fastest time in the event this year.
With the regular season winding down, the Lobos return home for their final meet, hosting in-state rival New Mexico State on Senior Day at Seidler Natatorium. The dual meet is set for Saturday, February 8, at noon.
Gonzaga Edges New Mexico Women in Thrilling 4-3 Showdown
In a battle that came down to the slimmest of margins, the New Mexico Lobos fell just short against Gonzaga in a 4-3 match that lasted nearly four hours and featured dramatic momentum swings. With the loss, UNM finished 2-1 on the homestand, moving to 2-3 overall. The Lobos will next host Colorado on Saturday, February 8, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a matchup with Weber State on Sunday, February 9, at 11 a.m.
Gonzaga secured the decisive doubles point, sweeping two matches despite UNM being on the verge of victory in one. That early edge proved crucial as the teams split the six singles matches.
In singles, Maud Vandeputte continued her stellar season with a dominant 6-3, 6-1 win over Rose Hayes at No. 2, improving to 3-0 on the week in top-flight singles play. However, at No. 1, Rebekkah Gaines—playing her first match of the weekend—fell 6-2, 6-4 to Emily Robertson, putting Gonzaga back ahead 2-1.
Sarah O’Connor responded at No. 3 with a hard-fought 6-2, 7-5 victory, evening the match at 2-2. In the most tightly contested battle of the day, Maria Matsoukatidi fell at No. 4 to Ella Nielsen in a grueling match that featured back-to-back tiebreakers, 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (9-7), as Gonzaga regained the lead at 3-2.
UNM pulled even once more after Sofia Taborga rallied for a 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 win at No. 6 over Lia Espinal, setting up a dramatic finish at No. 5.
Maria Sodre and Brooke Bittner delivered an electrifying finale. Bittner cruised through the first set 6-1, but Sodre responded with a gritty 7-5 second set. The third set featured multiple breaks, and at 5-4, Bittner held match point. Sodre saved it with a pinpoint return on the line, but after a series of tense exchanges, Bittner broke serve once again to clinch the match 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 and secure Gonzaga’s 4-3 victory.
Kosgei Shatters UNM Indoor Record, Posts Historic Time at UW Invitational
New Mexico freshman Pamela Kosgei continued her record-breaking season, rewriting the UNM record books for the third consecutive race. Kosgei blazed to an 8:44.62 finish in the 3,000 meters at the UW Invitational on Friday evening, placing herself among the top 10 fastest individual performances in NCAA history.
Kosgei dominated the field, finishing an astonishing 15.82 seconds ahead of her closest competitor. Her performance shattered Weini Kelati’s previous school record—set in 2019—by more than nine seconds.
The Lobos had a strong overall showing in the 3,000 meters, with Alice Seguin (5th, 9:11.29), Natalie Bitetti (9th, 9:24.12), and Rilyn Stevens (17th, 9:31.88) all posting solid times. Seguin, running her first collegiate 3,000m, shaved 1.46 seconds off her lifetime best, while Bitetti improved her previous collegiate mark by 5.65 seconds.
Lobos Shine at UNM Team Open with Record-Breaking Performances
The New Mexico track and field team put on an impressive display at the UNM Team Open, highlighted by another program record in the 600 meters—this time by Rebecca Grieve—and standout performances from Lou-Anne Pouzancre Hoyer and Brodie Young in the 200 meters, both securing top-three times in school history.
On the Track
Elijah Jefferson kicked off the meet with a personal-best 21.51 (converted to 21.58) in the 200 meters, placing second in his heat and 12th overall. On the women’s side, Sofia Pineda led UNM’s efforts with a time of 24.66 (converted to 24.73), finishing 11th in the unseeded sections.
In the 3,000 meters, Jayden Hernandez clocked 8:19.59 (converted) to place 10th, while freshman Kipruto Koech (8:32.84) and Will Pardue (8:38.46) made their collegiate debuts in the event.
Tina Nisoli impressed in her first collegiate 3,000m, finishing second in 9:33.0 (converted). She led a strong Lobo contingent that included Sylvia Schwedler (10th, 10:10.41) and Anya Belisle (11th, 10:10.64).
The highlight of the night came from Rebecca Grieve, who reclaimed her school record in the 600 meters with a dominant 1:26.91 finish—5.95 seconds faster than her previous best and the seventh-fastest time in NCAA history.
In the invitational sections of the 200 meters, Lou-Anne Pouzancre Hoyer moved to No. 2 all-time at UNM with a 23.59 (converted) finish, while Brodie Young secured the third-fastest mark in program history with a 21.23 (converted).
The women’s 4x400m relay squad of Pouzancre, Eva Ngom, Hanna Kiess, and Anaya Quarles clocked 3:39.25, the second-fastest time in school history, finishing third overall.
On the Runways
Zennia Gonzalez cracked the Top 10 all-time in the women’s long jump with a leap of 5.61m, while Cameron Miller placed 10th on the men’s side with a 6.90m mark.
In the women’s pole vault, Maja Gebauer and Jacquelyn Gorman both cleared 3.71m, with Gebauer winning the “B” flight on attempts.
Additional Highlights
- Semaj Thompson clocked a personal-best 8.41 in the 60m hurdles, moving up to No. 7 in UNM history.
- Freshman Blake Reynolds made his collegiate mile debut, finishing with a converted 4:30.51.
- Matthew Endrody led the Lobo men in the 800m, posting 1:51.39 in his first race at that distance.
- The Lobo men’s 4x400m relay team placed 10th overall with a 3:16.80 (converted).
New Mexico Track & Field Secures Mountain West Weekly Honors
After a weekend of standout performances, including two NCAA All-Time Top 10 finishes, New Mexico Track & Field athletes Collins Kiprotich, Habtom Samuel, and Pamela Kosgei have earned Mountain West weekly honors, the conference announced Tuesday. Kiprotich was named Men’s Freshman of the Week, Samuel received Men’s Track Athlete of the Week, and Kosgei claimed both Women’s Freshman and Track Athlete of the Week.
For Kiprotich and Kosgei, this marks their third Mountain West weekly track award of the indoor season and their second consecutive recognition. The duo previously secured three weekly cross country awards in fall 2024, with Kosgei earning MW Athlete & Freshman of the Week twice (Oct. 8 & Oct. 22) and Kiprotich receiving MW Freshman of the Week on Oct. 22. They also swept the first MW weekly awards of the indoor season on Dec. 10 and Jan. 28.
Samuel, meanwhile, picks up his first track honor of the season after collecting three weekly awards across indoor and outdoor track last year.
Pamela Kosgei | MW Track Athlete & Freshman of the Week
Kosgei continued her record-breaking streak at the UW Invitational, shattering her third UNM indoor record in as many races. She clocked an 8:44.62 in the 3,000m, ranking No. 7 all-time on the NCAA all-conditions list. Kosgei finished 15.82 seconds ahead of the next competitor and erased more than nine seconds from Weini Kelati’s UNM record, which had stood since 2019.
Her performance also set a new Mountain West record. In just three collegiate indoor races, Kosgei has rewritten UNM’s history books, holding the school records in the 5,000m, mile, and 3,000m. Her 5,000m time, set in December in Boston, ranks No. 4 on the NCAA all-time list.
Collins Kiprotich | MW Men’s Freshman of the Week
Competing in Boston’s men’s 3,000m event, Kiprotich ran a personal best of 7:46.90, making him the second-fastest runner in UNM history at the distance. He finished as the second-fastest collegiate athlete in the race, behind Colorado’s Isaiah Givens (7:45.01).
Kiprotich, who earned MW Athlete & Freshman of the Week honors last week after setting the fastest collegiate raw mile time at altitude, is now less than four seconds away from breaking into the NCAA All-Time Top 25 for the 3,000m. His time also stands as the fastest in the Mountain West this season.
Habtom Samuel | MW Men’s Track Athlete of the Week
Samuel made history in his first indoor 5,000m race of the season, clocking 13:04.92. The performance moved him from No. 15 to No. 4 on the NCAA All-Time List, improving his previous UNM indoor record by 9.93 seconds. His time was also 8.44 seconds faster than his own outdoor school record.
The time is now the fastest 5K ever recorded by a Mountain West athlete—whether indoor, outdoor, or cross country. Samuel’s performance also ranks first among current NCAA Division I athletes.
Up Next
New Mexico Track & Field will host its biggest indoor meet of the season, the UNM Collegiate Classic, on Feb. 7-8 at the Albuquerque Convention Center. The event will feature team scoring for the first time and will be streamed via FloTrack (paid subscription). Live results and streaming links can be found at GoLobos.com/FollowTrack, and updates will be available on Instagram and X (@UNMLoboXCTF).
Lobos Fall to Rams in 69-63 Battle
The New Mexico women’s basketball team fought hard but came up short against Colorado State, falling 69-63 on Tuesday night. Despite tying the game twice in the first quarter, the Lobos were unable to take the lead.
Destinee Hooks led UNM with 16 points, while Joana Magalhães added 12. Alyssa Hargrove contributed nine points along with a game-high eight assists, three rebounds, two steals, and a block. She also hit three three-pointers, tying her career high. Off the bench, Nayli Padilla posted eight points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Amhyia Moreland added seven points, five rebounds, and two blocks.
Game Recap
CSU opened the game with four unanswered points before Magalhães responded with a three-pointer. Hooks later hit a three to tie the game at six, but the Rams answered immediately. Another Hargrove three tied it at nine, and UNM went on a 7-0 run late in the quarter, closing the gap to one (21-20). CSU, however, ended the quarter up 25-23 after Paris Lauro’s buzzer-beater three.
The Rams started the second quarter strong with a 9-2 run, extending UNM’s deficit to nine. However, the Lobos fought back, with a three-pointer from Viané Cumber and a Magalhães layup narrowing the gap. Just before halftime, a pair of three-pointers from Hargrove and Magalhães brought UNM within five, trailing 41-36.
At halftime, Hooks and Magalhães had 10 points each, while Hargrove had seven assists, six points, and a block. UNM was 50% from three-point range with eight made threes and led 8-0 in second-chance points.
In the third quarter, Padilla kept the Lobos within striking distance, scoring five of UNM’s nine points. However, CSU built a double-digit lead and closed the period on a 6-0 run, leaving the Lobos trailing 58-45 entering the fourth.
The Rams pushed their lead to 15 early in the fourth, but UNM battled back, cutting the deficit to seven after a Moreland jumper with 4:35 remaining. Despite a late push, the Lobos couldn’t get closer than six, with Hooks’ layup in the final 20 seconds setting the final score at 69-63.
Notable Performances
- Viané Cumber hit her second three-pointer of the game in the fourth quarter, giving her 222 career threes and moving her into second place in UNM history for career three-pointers.
- Cumber also led the Lobos with eight rebounds, tying the game high.
- Hargrove had a balanced performance with nine points, eight assists, two steals, three rebounds, and a block.
What’s Next?
The Lobos (13-11, 6-5 MW) will travel to Las Vegas to face UNLV on Saturday at 3 p.m. MT.
Lobos Struggle in Loss to San Diego State
San Diego State jumped out to a commanding 12-0 lead on Saturday, and while the Lobos fought back to within one point by the end of the third quarter, they were unable to complete the comeback in a 59-46 defeat.
New Mexico struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 3-of-29 attempts and finishing the game shooting 22.7% from the field on 15 made shots.
Nayli Padilla led the Lobos with a season-high 12 points, including two three-pointers, while also grabbing seven rebounds, dishing two assists, and tallying two steals. Hulda Joaquim joined her in double figures with 10 points, adding a team-high eight rebounds and a block.
Alyssa Hargrove made an impact defensively with three blocks—tying her career high—and two steals, marking her 13th game this season with multiple steals. The Lobos recorded nine steals and five blocks as a team, with four players (Padilla, Hargrove, Destinee Hooks, and Joana Magalhães) notching two steals each.
San Diego State capitalized on New Mexico’s slow start, making its first three shots while UNM missed its opening eight attempts. The Lobos finally got on the board with a pair of Hargrove free throws at the 5:21 mark, and Padilla’s three-pointer later trimmed the deficit to seven. SDSU led 19-10 at the end of the first quarter.
Padilla continued to lead the offense in the second quarter, adding seven more points. The Lobos closed the half on an 8-2 run, sparked by an Amhyia Moreland jumper and three-pointers from Padilla and Viané Cumber, cutting SDSU’s lead to 30-24 at the break.
UNM carried that momentum into the third quarter with a 6-0 run, highlighted by a Joaquim fast-break layup and four straight points from Cumber, making it a two-point game at 35-33. Although SDSU responded with free throws, the Lobos finished the quarter strong with five unanswered points, including a Hooks layup at the buzzer, pulling within 42-41.
The Aztecs quickly regained control in the fourth, opening with a three-pointer and going on a 9-0 run to push their lead back to double digits. The Lobos managed just five points in the final frame—four from Hooks and one from Joaquim—while shooting 1-of-12 from the field and 0-of-7 from three.
New Mexico Men’s Golf Finishes Ninth at National Invitational Tournament
The New Mexico men’s golf team wrapped up its spring season opener at the National Invitational Tournament, finishing in ninth place at 14-under after an even-par final round at OMNI Tucson National.
The Lobos posted even-par rounds in both the first and third rounds, with a 14-under second round in between—marking the second-best round of the day. BYU dominated the tournament, finishing at 50-under, 14 strokes ahead of second-place Arizona (-36).
Mesa Falleur and Alvaro Portillo were the top finishers for UNM, both tying for 22nd at 5-under. Falleur bounced back from a tough opening round (+5) with impressive scores of 65 and 69, going 10-under over the final 36 holes. Portillo was the only Lobo to shoot par or better in all three rounds (71-68-72).
Clark Sonnenberg finished at even par after a final-round 73, while Carson Herron (+3) and Wyatt Provence (+4) rounded out the team score. Oliver Cage, competing as an individual, finished 6-under for the tournament.
Next up, the Lobos head to Kauai, Hawaii, for the John Burns Intercollegiate (Feb. 13-15).
Lobos Baseball Lands Two on Preseason All-MW Team, Ranked Fourth in Coaches’ Poll
Outfielders Khalil Walker and Will Asby have been named to the All-Conference Preseason Team, and New Mexico baseball is tied for fourth in the 2025 Mountain West Preseason Coaches’ Poll, as announced Monday.
Walker and Asby—both All-MW selections in their debut season with UNM last year—make the Lobos one of four teams with multiple preseason all-league honorees, alongside Fresno State (four selections), Nevada (three), and San Diego State (two).
Preseason Coaches’ Poll Standings:
- Fresno State (6 first-place votes, 43 points)
- Nevada (35 points)
- Washington State (1 first-place vote, 30 points)
- New Mexico / UNLV / San Diego State (27 points each)
This marks the third consecutive season UNM has improved its preseason ranking. In 2023, they were picked seventh and finished fifth. Last year, they were ranked fifth and ended the regular season just one game shy of a shared conference title with Air Force.
Key Returners & 2024 Highlights
- Khalil Walker led the MW in batting average (.391) and on-base percentage (.490), ranking 20th and 43rd nationally in those categories. He also had the lowest strikeout-to-walk ratio (30 BB/24 SO) in the conference.
- Will Asby ranked 2nd in the MW in runs scored (59), 8th in slugging (.601), and 9th in total hits (71). He also broke the program’s single-season grand slam record (4) and is one away from tying the career record (5).
- UNM posted one of the nation’s most productive offenses in 2024, ranking:
- 7th in team batting average (.319)
- 31st in slugging percentage (.515)
- 13th in on-base percentage (.421)
- 17th in doubles per game (2.24)
- 25th in runs per game (8.4)
Head Coach Tod Brown enters his fourth season leading the program, bringing back four of the team’s top six hitters along with key weekend starters Dayne Pengelly (11 GS, 50 IP), David Lopez (11 GS, 65.1 IP), and Daxton Purser (7 GS, 35 IP).
Expanded Conference & MW Tournament
With Washington State joining as an affiliate member, the Mountain West expands to eight teams for the first time in its history. As a result, the MW Tournament will now feature six teams for the first time since 2016, the last time UNM won the championship to secure an NCAA Tournament bid.
This year’s Mountain West Baseball Championship will be played at a neutral site for the first time, set for May 21-25 in Mesa, Ariz.
Opening Weekend & Broadcast Info
New Mexico Baseball kicks off the 2025 season at the MLB Desert Invitational in Arizona:
- Feb. 14 – vs. Austin Peay (Sloan Park, Mesa, Ariz.)
- Feb. 15 – vs. UC Irvine (Sloan Park, Mesa, Ariz.)
- Feb. 16 – vs. Seton Hall (Salt River Fields, Scottsdale, Ariz.)
Lobos Take Over First Place in Mountain West with Dominant Win Over Utah State
The New Mexico men’s basketball team surged to the top of the Mountain West standings with a commanding 82-63 win over Utah State on Saturday night at the Smith Spectrum. The Lobos (18-4, 10-1 MW) overcame a six-point halftime deficit to hand the Aggies (19-3, 9-2 MW) their most lopsided home loss in nearly three decades.
Mustapha Amzil led the Lobos with 16 points, while Nelly Junior Joseph delivered a flawless shooting performance, scoring 15 points on 7-of-7 from the field and 1-of-1 from the line. He also grabbed 13 rebounds for his 11th double-double of the season. Donovan Dent contributed 14 points and six assists, Tru Washington added 13 points, and CJ Noland provided 11 points off the bench.
Game Recap
Utah State opened the game with a 7-0 run, leading 7-1 in the first four minutes. New Mexico trimmed the gap to 10-9 by the 12-minute mark and took its first lead, 17-15, with nine minutes left in the half. However, the Aggies regained control, extending their lead to 30-23 with under four minutes remaining and taking a 36-30 advantage into the break.
In the second half, UNM closed the gap to three points at 40-37 before Utah State responded with an 8-2 run to push their lead back to nine. The Lobos then erupted for a 13-1 run to seize a 52-49 lead with 12 minutes left. They extended the margin to 65-54 following five straight points from Amzil, then put the game away with a late 10-3 burst, sealing the 19-point victory with a Jovan Milicevic three-pointer in the final minute.
Lobo Notes
- New Mexico improved to 10-1 in Mountain West play for the first time in program history.
- This was just the second matchup in Mountain West history between two teams with at least a 9-1 conference record.
- The win ended UNM’s seven-game losing streak in Logan, marking the fourth road losing streak of six or more games the Lobos have snapped this season.
- Utah State had not lost a home game by at least 19 points since 1996-97.
- Nelly Junior Joseph’s perfect 7-7 shooting night was the best by a Lobo since Valdir Manuel’s 7-7 performance against Air Force in 2021.
Coach Pitino’s Take
“The second half was phenomenal. We dominated the rebounding battle, shot efficiently from three, and executed at the free-throw line. Defensively, we guarded the perimeter well against a team that takes a lot of threes. This is a tough place to play, but our guys handled it with a business-like approach.” – Head Coach Richard Pitino
Nelly Junior Joseph Named Mountain West Player of the Week
New Mexico forward Nelly Junior Joseph has been named Mountain West Player of the Week after his standout performance in UNM’s win at Utah State, the conference announced Monday.
This marks Joseph’s third Player of the Week honor this season, having previously won on Nov. 11 and Jan. 6. Over his career, he has now earned 10 total conference Player of the Week awards, including seven during his time at Iona.
With this latest recognition, the Lobos have now set a program record with six Player of the Week honors in a single season. Joseph and teammate Donovan Dent have each won the award three times, making UNM just the third team in Mountain West history to have two players win three times in a season, joining 2010-11 San Diego State (Kawhi Leonard & Malcolm Thomas) and 2018-19 Nevada (Caleb Martin & Jordan Caroline).
Joseph’s dominance in the 82-63 victory over Utah State was pivotal, as he recorded 15 points and 13 rebounds while going 7-of-7 from the field. Thirteen of his 15 points came in the second half as the Lobos erased a six-point halftime deficit with a dominant 52-27 second-half performance.
Donovan Dent Named to Oscar Robertson Trophy Midseason Watch List
New Mexico guard Donovan Dent has been named to the 2024-25 Oscar Robertson Trophy Midseason Watch List, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association announced Monday. Dent is one of 50 players nationwide in contention for the award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top player.
Dent is the only Mountain West player on the list and the first Lobo to receive the honor since Jaelen House in 2022-23.
The standout guard has been a force this season, leading the Mountain West in scoring at 19.4 points per game while ranking second in assists at 6.6 per game. Notably, Dent is the only player in the nation averaging over 19 points and 6.5 assists per game. He also holds the distinction of being the only player in the country with three 30-point games and three 10-assist games this season.
The Oscar Robertson Trophy winner will be announced during Final Four weekend in April, held in San Antonio, Texas.