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Men’s basketball: the Pitino era continues

Thomas Bulger | May 13

After three seasons of improvement year-to-year, the University of New Mexico men’s basketball coach, Richard Pitino, agreed to a contract extension through the 2028-29 season. The extension follows the team's most successful season in a decade, earning their first National Collegiate Athletics Association tournament appearance since 2014. In a May 7 press release, UNM Director of Athletics Eddie Nuñez credited the program’s success as the driving factor in the extension.

Sports

Women's basketball: embracing a new era

Rodney Prunty | April 29

The last time the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team played was March 11 against the San Diego State Aztecs in the Mountain West Tournament. Unfortunately for the Lobos, they lost that game 67-56, ending their season. What has followed with the team can best be described as a mass exodus, with a total of eight players are departing — seven through the transfer portal. The one player who is not leaving via the transfer portal is guard Aniyah Augmon. Augmon is deciding to forgo her senior year to graduate and pursue other passions outside of basketball. The biggest losses to the transfer portal for the Lobos are guard Nyah Wilson and forward Paula Reus, who both were significant parts of the team. Other players who are leaving through the transfer portal include Natalia Chavez, Nahawa Diarra Berthe, Mackenzie Curtis, Hannah Robbins and Jaelyn Bates.

Sports

Women's basketball: embracing a new era

Rodney Prunty | April 29

The last time the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team played was March 11 against the San Diego State Aztecs in the Mountain West Tournament. Unfortunately for the Lobos, they lost that game 67-56, ending their season. What has followed with the team can only be described as a mass exodus, as a total of eight players are departing — seven of those through the transfer portal. The one player who is not leaving via the transfer portal is guard Aniyah Augmon. Augmon is deciding to forgo her senior year to graduate and pursue other passions outside of basketball.

Sports

The Savannah Bananas peel into Albuquerque

Francesca Cicconetti and Elizabeth Secor | April 26

The social media and baseball stars, the Savannah Bananas and Party Animals, made their Albuquerque debut to a sold-out crowd at Isotopes Stadium, bringing Bananaland to the Land of Enchantment. The teams played on April 20 and 21, selling out the stadium both days. Banana Ball is different from your typical game of baseball. There’s a pitcher and a batter, and the goal is to make it around the bases and back to home plate, but there are many different rules and flares in the game that make it the show it is.

Sports

Finding work-life balance as a student-athlete

Francesca Cicconetti | April 22

Being a student-athlete is a full-time job and a demanding status to maintain – student first, athlete second. But often the separation between the two roles can be blurred. The best way to stay on track and not fall behind is to establish a healthy work-life balance. Work-life balance is “equal time or priority to personal and professional activities,” a Forbes article states. For student-athletes, personal and professional activities become one; their sport is their passion but they have to learn to balance it with academics. University of New Mexico senior and catcher for the baseball team, Kyle Smith, said that his work-life balance emphasizes defining time for his personal needs and not getting tunnel vision when it comes to baseball.

Sports

Baseball: Losing streak broken

Thomas Bulger | April 15

The baseball team faced the Fresno State Bulldogs over the weekend. Aside from a win on Sunday, they lost two out of the three games. The team was on an eight-game losing streak prior to Sunday. Friday, April 12, the Lobos lost 10-5. The Bulldogs had a balanced offense with everyone in the lineup earning a hit. For the Lobos, Konner Kinkade led the team with three hits.

New Mexico Ice Wolves vs. Amarillo Wranglers

Sports

Hockey in the desert

Francesca Cicconetti | April 15

Home to a hockey team in the desert, the Outpost Ice Arena is where the New Mexico Ice Wolves reside – a Tier II junior ice hockey team in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) in the South Division. The team was founded in 2019, and since then they have been getting down and dirty competing against nine other teams across the South Division from Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Colorado. The organization has recruited players from all over, including defenseman Luca Ricci from Montreal, Canada who is amazed at the amount of support the team received when he first arrived in New Mexico.

Sports

City of Albuquerque celebrates UNM men's basketball team

BillyJack Davidson | April 15

The City of Albuquerque hosted a celebration for the recently crowned champions of the Mountain West men’s basketball tournament this past Thursday, April 11. Mayor Tim Keller and the men’s basketball team came out to greet and spend time with the fans. Keller presented two trophies to the Lobos: a golden Lobo hand and the official winning basketball. Keller spoke about what the accomplishment meant, not only to the fans, but to the city itself.

Sports

Baseball: Lobos drop series against Sam Houston

Thomas Bulger | April 8

The baseball team lost two games against Sam Houston State University over the weekend. In Friday’s matchup, the Lobos lost a high scoring game 23-14 and lost Sunday 14-3. Saturday’s match was canceled due to high winds. The game will not be rescheduled.

New Mexico United vs. El Paso Locomotive FC

Sports

New Mexico leaves rivals in the wind

BillyJack Davidson | April 8

New Mexico United had their fifth game of the 2024 season, hosting the El Paso Locomotives, and took home a roller coaster 3-2 victory. The last 15 minutes of the game saw a nail biting close finish with both teams each scoring two goals. United came off a great victory against the Rising Phoenix FC, and will now go on with a two-win streak. Head Coach Eric Quill talked about what got his team through the game. “It was a roller coaster night. (We came) out of the gates hot (after) scoring that first goal and then, for some reason, we let them take over,” Quill said. “We regrouped at halftime and settled down, played more of our brand and then they saw some life with those two goals, 2-1 at 88. But we showed real character with our subs coming on, which is (an) outstanding mentality.”

Sports

Men’s basketball: Lobos coming home early

BillyJack Davidson | March 25

The champions of the Mountain West Tournament, the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team traveled to Memphis, Tennessee to face off against the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Lobos were not able to take home a victory as the Tigers knocked them out early in the tournament with a dominant performance. While it was a disappointing outcome, Head Coach Richard Pitino talked about how much growth the men’s basketball program has had in the last three years, and how proud he is of the players this season.

Sports

Men's basketball: Conference champions

Thomas Bulger | March 19

The University of New Mexico men's basketball team earned their first Mountain West Championship since 2014. Over Spring Break, the Lobos won four games in four days to secure a spot in March Madness. The championship run was the result of a balanced effort from the team but was fueled by Tournament MVP Jaelen House. Three Lobos were named to the All-Tournament team: House, Jamal Mashburn Jr. and JT Toppin.

Sports

Women's basketball: an early loss in Las Vegas

Thomas Bulger | March 18

The University of New Mexico women's basketball team suffered a 67-56 loss to the San Diego State Aztecs in the Mountain West Conference tournament. The game took place on Monday, March 11 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lobos were the No. 2 seed facing the No. 6 seed Aztecs. The Lobos did finish the season with multiple regular season honors. Backcourt duo Aniyah Augmon and Nyah Wilson were both named to the All-Conference Team. Augmon also earned the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year Award and made the All-Defensive Team. Wilson earned the Newcomer of the Year award and Head Coach Mike Bradbury was awarded with Coach of the Year.

Sports

United earns statement win in season opener

Nate Bernard | March 11

New Mexico United swept the field against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds achieving a 1-0 victory in their Mar. 9 season opener. The match could be a sign for a successful season to come. The win avenges last season’s Sep. 23 loss to Riverhounds which allowed the Riverhounds to attain the USL championship’s best record in 2023 dubbed the Player’s Shield. United’s victory over the top team could point to a successful season, Greg Hurst said — a United forward. “I think it's a big statement. Obviously Pittsburgh were rowing (doing well) last year, and had a great run in the championship. There's a real statement that we came out here at the home opener and got one past them,” Hurst said.

Sports

Lobos take big win for final home game of the season

BillyJack Davidson | March 8

The University of New Mexico men's basketball team had their final home game of the regular season where they defeated the Fresno State Bulldogs on Wednesday, March 6. It was also senior night for four players who got time to shine on the court for their final game at The Pit. The Lobos took the game 79-58, ending with a 21-point lead. Head Coach Richard Pitino expressed how proud he was of his team on an emotional night. “Great way to send off the seniors,” Pitino said. “Defensively, we were terrific tonight – rebounded the ball extremely well, which only got better in the second half. I’m really proud of the guys. Sitting at 22-8 and 10-7.”

Sports

Lobos lose off a game winner

Thomas Bulger | March 4

The University of New Mexico women's basketball team lost to the Nevada Wolf Pack 83-82 for their final regular season game at The Pit. After an Aniyah Augmon jump shot put the team up by two points with four seconds remaining, Nevada's Lexie Givens rebounded a missed three-pointer for a layup and gave her team the win with an and-1 free throw. The Lobos fell to 11-6 in conference play but are in second place overall in the conference standings with one regular season game remaining. Wyoming also has a record of 11-6 but the University of New Mexico swept the Cowgirls in the season series. With a win on Tuesday, the Lobos could clinch the second seed for the conference tournament, but if Wyoming and Boise State win their respective games and the Lobos lose, they will fall to the fourth seed.

Sports

Women’s basketball: Lobos win in a thriller against San Diego State

Rodney Prunty | March 1

The women’s basketball team was able to eke out a 66-63 win against the San Diego State Aztecs at The Pit on Wednesday, Feb. 28. The Lobos are now in second place in the Mountain West Conference with a record of 20-9 and 11-5 in conference play with two games remaining in the regular season. Last time these teams met, the Aztecs were able to beat the Lobos 60-53. With this win, the Lobos have now split the season series. To beat San Diego State, Head Coach Mike Bradbury said they have to play their best.

Sports

Men's Basketball: Lobos split week with dueling game winners

BillyJack Davidson | February 26

The Lobo men's basketball team hosted the Colorado State Rams on Wednesday, Feb 21 and got a great 68-66 win thanks to some Donvon Dent (#2) heroics before a tough 78-77 loss on Sunday, Feb. 25 against the Air Force Academy Falcons. The Lobos would go onto play against the Air Force Falcons on Saturday, Feb. 24 where they heartbreakingly lost by one point. It was a hard-fought loss in The Pit as both teams kept the score close the entire game, but the Lobos couldn’t bring it home by the end. Head Coach Richard Pitino talked about just how important the Colorado State game was, not just for his team but for the Rams as well.

Sports

The Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo

Francesca Cicconetti | February 26

The rodeo – the quintessential showcase for cowboys and cowgirls. Anyone can be a cowboy, but the rodeo hasn’t always been considered an inclusive space for Black Americans. The search results for “famous cowboys” include names like Billy the Kid, Jesse James, or Buffalo Bill. The similarity between these individuals is that they’re all white. Bill Pickett, also known as the Dusky Demon, came along and changed that. Born in 1870, Pickett was an African American cowboy who introduced bulldogging, or steer wrestling, to the modern rodeo, according to Britannica. Today, most rodeos in the United States and across the world showcase this event. Pickett was one of the first Black cowboys to break into the traditionally white space of western rodeo.

Sports

New Mexico United shatters the land of entrapment stereotype

Nate Bernard and Jaymes Boe | February 19

The narrative of the Land of Entrapment is being challenged by New Mexico United’s team and fanbase, through the work the team does off the field. The documentary Underdog Uprising, which highlights United’s unique and committed fanbase, will be available for streaming on the Very Local app on Feb. 28. The documentary covers the work United and its supporters do to impact their community and how they challenge the underdog identity, according to Carlos Tenorio II, President of New Mexico United’s supporters’ group, The Curse. “We’re at the bottom of the good lists and the top of the bad lists… It doesn’t always have to be like that,” Tenorio said.