Sports - The Daily Lobo

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Pair of Lobos graduate with superb GPAs

Isabel Gonzalez | December 7

“Humbling” is the word men’s soccer head coach Jeremy Fishbein used to describe the two seniors who will receive their college degrees this semester. The two “interesting cats,” as Fishbein described them, are Josh Dye and Adrian Mora Delgado. “Those are two stable guys,” Fishbein said. “More than anything, they epitomize what a student-athlete is. It’s a bit humbling. They’re both engineering majors with 4.0 GPAs and they’re Division I athletes.”

Redshirt junior safety Ryan Santos celebrates after stopping Air Force at University Stadium Nov. 29. UNM will play in the New Mexico Bowl for the first time since 2007.

Sports

Football: Lobos to play in New Mexico Bowl

Thomas Romero-Salas | December 6

Head coach Bob Davie won’t be a fan at the Gildan New Mexico Bowl this year. After weeks of speculation, it was officially announced on Sunday that New Mexico will participate in the New Mexico Bowl for the first time since 2007. UNM will face Arizona from the PAC-12 in University Stadium on Dec. 19.

Sports

Women's basketball: New Mexico splurge in third quarter warrants first road win

Liam Cary-Eaves | December 5

New Mexico’s two-game slip came to a close after beating the SMU Mustangs 63-58 on Saturday night in Dallas, Texas. The first quarter was the start UNM needed, going up 15-8 after starting slow in the previous two contests. The hot first quarter didn’t correlate with the rest of the first half as New Mexico’s defense appeared to hit a brick wall in the second quarter. The Lobos were outscored 24-15 in that period, finding themselves in a 32-30 hole at the half.

Redshirt junior Tim Williams (left) reaches out for a rebound against Oral Roberts at WisePies Arena Dec. 1. The Lobos are scheduled to play Purdue Saturday December 5 in Indiana.

Sports

Men's basketball: Lobos fall at No. 11 Purdue

J.R. Oppenheim | December 5

No. 11 Purdue limited New Mexico to less than 60 points for the first time this season in a 70-58 loss Saturday afternoon in West Lafayette, Indiana. Prior to Saturday UNM (5-2) had scored 75 points or more through its first six games, but ran into Boilermaker squad who had yet to lose.

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Men's basketball: Purdue's size a test for Lobos

J.R. Oppenheim | December 4

New Mexico’s schedule so far has seen more guard-oriented rosters with not much size. Saturday’s opponent, Purdue, will be much bigger. The No. 11 Boilermakers’s starting lineup includes 6-foot-8 forward Vince Edwards, 6-9 forward Caleb Swanigan and 7-2 center Isaac Hays.

Senior Courtney Frerichs runs in front of her team at the NCAA Mountain Regional Cross Country Championships Nov. 13.

Sports

Cross Country: Frerichs key late addition for UNM

Thomas Romero-Salas | December 4

Courtney Frerichs had a tough decision to make. With one year of eligibility left in her cross country career, Frerichs could either stay at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and complete a second undergraduate degree, or she could leave her home state and finish her collegiate career elsewhere.

Freshman guard Jannon Otto drives against a Duquesne defender at WisePies Arena Saturday night. The Lobos lost to UTEP on Wednesday 70-62.

Sports

Women's basketball: Late letdown leads to consecutive losses

Liam Cary-Eaves | December 2

The Lobos haven’t lost back-to-back games in nearly 11 months. On Wednesday night, that came to a close in a 70-62 loss against UTEP. After falling to Duquesne in a 78-69 4th quarter let down, the Lobos responded with a sluggish first half in El Paso. It was the first time the Lobos dropped consecutive games since opening conference play with losses to Fresno State on December 31, 2014 and to Colorado State on January 3, 2015.

Redshirt junior center Whitney Johnson leaps through Duquesne's defense on her way to the net at WisePies Arena Saturday night. The Lobos are scheduled to play UTEP Dec. 2 in El Paso, Texas.

Sports

Women's basketball: Lobos hope to prod at Miners' undefeated record

Liam Cary-Eaves | December 1

Focus and defense are on New Mexico’s mind as the team ventures across the state boarder to take on undefeated UTEP on Wednesday night. Head coach Yvonne Sanchez said the team is going to play with a big chip on its shoulder as the team heads to El Paso, Texas to take on the undefeated Miners. The Lobos are coming off a bitter 78-69 loss in the title game of UNM’s annual Thanksgiving tournament.

Redshirt sophomore guard Elijah Brown goes in for a close range jump shot at WisePies Arena Tuesday night. The Lobos beat Oral Roberts 91-75.

Sports

Men's basketball: Lobos erupt in first half, deal with press in second

J.R. Oppenheim | December 1

For a half New Mexico resolved its recent shooting difficulties, but second-half struggles against the press caused some at WisePies Arena to hold their breath. The Lobos completed nearly 60 percent through the first 20 minutes in a 91-75 victory over Oral Roberts Tuesday night, bolstered with successful 3-pointers in transition.

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Football: Four Lobos honored by Mountain West

Thomas Romero-Salas | December 1

Even with a winning season and a bowl bid secured, only four New Mexico players earned All-Mountain West honors, tying for the lowest total in the conference. Wide receiver Carlos Wiggins had the highest award by being named to Second Team All-Mountain West. Linebacker Dakota Cox, defensive lineman Nik D’Avanzo and offensive lineman Eden Mahina were all honorable mentions.

Redshirt sophomore guard Cullen Neal drives past a Nicholls State player at WisePies Arena Nov. 25. The Lobos are scheduled to play Oral Roberts Dec. 1.

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Men's basketball: Nicholls State game wasn't that bad after all, Neal says

J.R. Oppenheim | December 1

After looking at the game tape, New Mexico head coach Craig Neal pulled back a bit on his statements following last Wednesday’s win over Nicholls State. After the Lobos won 75-63 – a game much closer than many thought it should have been – Neal said that his team lacked energy and that many guys haven’t really bought into the expectations he sets for the program. On Tuesday, Neal said the game tape showed the team didn’t play that poorly. Part of what got Neal so upset that night stems from the high expectations he has for his players, he said.

Senior middle blocker Skye Gullatt leaps up for a kill against CSU at Johnson Center Nov. 7. Gullatt received Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week for her performance against Air Force.

Sports

Volleyball: Gullatt selected as defensive player of the week/All-Mountain West

Liam Cary-Eaves | November 30

Tying a program record is going to turn some heads for anyone, but the way Skye Gullatt ended her career as a Lobo received conference attention. For the week of Nov. 24-28, Gullatt received Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week honors for her performance against Air Force in the final game of the 2015 campaign. Gullatt put together nine blocking assists, a solo block, and a dig in the final game of her collegiate career.

Redshirt senior running back Jhurell Pressley raises his hand to cheering fans after a 75 yard scoring run at University Stadium Saturday night. Pressley scored three touchdowns with 170 yards rushed to help aid the Lobos 47-35 victory over Air Force.

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Football: Pressley comes up big in finale

J.R. Oppenheim | November 30

Jhurell Pressley said he saw just one thing on his two early touchdown runs against Air Force Saturday night. “Green grass,” he said. “Green grass.” Well, technically, it’s field turf. But when Pressley rattles off two early TD runs of 50-plus yards, it’s still grass to him.

Sophomore running back Richard McQuarley runs into the end zone at University Stadium Saturday night. The Lobos beat Air Force 47-35 in their last season game.

Sports

Football: UNM earns first winning season since 2007

Thomas Romero-Salas | November 29

New Mexico secured its first winning season in almost a decade on Saturday at University Stadium. Several big plays and three key turnovers propelled UNM to a 47-35 upset over Mountain Division champion Air Force. The Lobos finish the regular season 7-5 (5-3 Mountain West) and will play in their first bowl game since 2007.

Sophomore guard Kenya Pye loses grasp of the ball as she drives to the net at WisePies Arena Saturday night. The Lobos lost to Duquesne 78-69.

Sports

Women's Basketball: Lobos streak snapped as Sanchez gets tossed

Liam Cary-Eaves | November 28

Emotions ran high for New Mexico in a physical 78-69 loss to Duquesne in the UNM Thanksgiving Tournament final Saturday night. The blistering fans roared “high school refs” on numerous occasions throughout the championship contest.

Redshirt senior Jhurell Pressley leaps into the end zone as the ball slips from his fingers at University Stadium Nov. 21. The Lobos seniors played a pivitol role in securing UNM's first bowl game since 2007.

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Football: Seniors help turn program around

Thomas Romero-Salas | November 28

Irreplaceable.That’s the main word head coach Bob Davie used when describing this year’s senior class for New Mexico. It’s hard to find another word as appropriate because of what those seniors had to endure earlier in their careers.

Sophomore guard Kenya Pye reaches past a Southern Utah player for a close range jump shot at WisePies Arena Friday night. The Lobos beat Southern Utah 70-48.

Sports

Women's basketball: Defense pushes Lobos to win

Liam Cary-Eaves | November 27

On nights where New Mexico’s offense needs a spark, UNM turns to its defense to get the job done. The Lobos started off slow in the 70-48 win over Southern Utah on Friday night, but as head coach Yvonne Sanchez switched to a pressure style of defense, the Lobos picked things up.

Sports

Cross Country: Franklin named coach of the year

Robert Maler | November 26

Even though the season ended on Saturday, the UNM cross country team wasn’t done bringing home hardware. Head Coach Joe Franklin was named NCAA Division I National Women’s Coach of the Year on Tuesday by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Sophomore Guard/Forward Sam Logwood attempts to score against a Nicholls State player at the WisePIse arena Wednesday night. The Lobos won 75-63 and their next game will be Tuesday Dec. 1.

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Men's basketball: Lobos sluggish in first half, but drop Nicholls State

J.R. Oppenheim | November 25

Whatever lulls in energy New Mexico had last Saturday against USC continued into Wednesday night at WisePies Arena.

Head Football Coach Bob Davie(left), Head Womens Basketball Coach Yvonne Sanchez(center) and Head Mens Basketball Coach Craig Neal.

Sports

Holiday Time: Deck the halls with bouts of howling

Thomas Romero-Salas | November 25

There isn’t much time to relax for head coaches around the holidays. Some still have a full season ahead; others are planning recruiting trips around the country; and a few of them are concerned about their jobs. A new car or suit may keep their spirits up for a day or two, but that’s not the gift that keeps their hopes high.