In a game that tested their resilience, the New Mexico Lobos roared back from a 10-point halftime deficit to defeat Wyoming 71-67 on Wednesday night at The Pit. Freshman Jovan Milicevic played the hero, draining a clutch three-pointer with just 30 seconds left to give UNM the lead for good. The victory marks the Lobos’ second come-from-behind win over the Cowboys this season and shows why they’ve made it to the top of the conference.
Second-Half Surge Fuels Comeback
The game started with Wyoming setting the tone early, racing out to a 9-2 lead within the first three minutes. The Cowboys extended their advantage to 37-24 late in the first half, but the Lobos managed to chip away, cutting the margin to 39-29 at the break.
New Mexico came out firing in the second half, igniting a 10-0 run within the first two-and-a-half minutes to tie the game at 39-39. Wyoming briefly regained control, holding a 56-51 lead with 7:30 left to play. However, the Lobos kept battling, taking their first lead at 59-58 thanks to a Milicevic triple with under five minutes remaining.
The closing minutes were a back-and-forth affair. Wyoming reclaimed a 65-63 lead with 1:40 left, but Nelly Junior Joseph responded with a jumper to tie it up. On the next possession, Milicevic delivered the game’s defining moment, burying a three-pointer to push UNM ahead 68-65. Joseph then came up big on defense, blocking Wyoming’s next attempt, allowing Donovan Dent to sink two free throws and seal the win.
Key Performances
- Donovan Dent led the Lobos with 20 points and seven assists.
- Tru Washington added 15 points, while CJ Noland provided a spark off the bench with 12.
- Nelly Junior Joseph narrowly missed a double-double, finishing with 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
- Jovan Milicevic scored 10 points, including a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, highlighted by his clutch game-winner.
Notable Stats & Milestones
- The Lobos improved to 13-1 in conference play for the first time since the 1977-78 season.
- Despite leading for just 1:07 in this game—and only 5:59 across both meetings with Wyoming—UNM still swept the season series.
- The Lobos’ seven-game win streak is their longest in Mountain West play since 2018-19.
- UNM recorded its 10th game with double-digit steals this season.
Coach Pitino on the Victory
“We went into halftime and said, ‘San Diego State was down 17 last night at the half, and they tied it up by the first media timeout.’ We knew we could make a run,” said head coach Richard Pitino. “Jovan hit a huge shot at the end—what a moment for a freshman. These are the types of meaningful games we want to be playing, whether it’s for a league title or NCAA seeding, and we found a way to get the win.”
What’s Next?
The Lobos now turn their attention to a massive showdown against Utah State on Sunday at The Pit, with both teams vying for the top spot in the Mountain West. The game tips off at 2:00 p.m. MT and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. While the game is already sold out, fans can still grab tickets for UNM’s remaining home games against Air Force (March 1) and UNLV (March 7) at GoLobos.com/tickets.
With momentum firmly on their side, the Lobos will look to keep their winning streak alive and continue their march toward a conference title.