Sports - The Daily Lobo

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.

Sports

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.

Sports

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.

Sports

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.

Sports

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.

Sports

Holiday Time: Pro plays for granting a sports fan's wish this year

Robert Maler | November 25

Sometimes people have a difficult time finding a holiday gift for friends or loved ones they feel are particularly hard to shop for. Before there is no more time left on the clock, here are some ideas that might help find the perfect gift for the avid sports fan in your life.

Freshman forward Jannon Otto grabs the ball against Nicholls State's defense at WisePies Arena Tuesday night. The Lobos beat the Colonels 83-43.

Sports

Women's basketball: Lobos turn to reserves for easy win

Liam Cary-Eaves | November 24

New Mexico flexed its muscles from the bench on the way to an 83-43 rout over visiting Nicholls State on Tuesday night. Two minutes into the first quarter, head coach Yvonne Sanchez had to resort to the backups after senior Khadijah Shumpert headed to the bench with two fouls. The head coach didn’t need to call on her dominant force down low for the remainder of the first half.

Sophomore guard Xavier Adams seeks out an open teammate while playing Loyola University at WisePies Arena Nov. 18. The Lobos play Nicholls State Wednesday Nov. 25 at WisePies Arena.

Sports

Men's basketball: Young Lobo bench still developing, coach says

J.R. Oppenheim | November 23

Starters Tim Williams, Cullen Neal, Obij Aget and Elijah have established themselves through four games as regular contributors

Red Shirt Sophomore quarterback Lamar Jordan drives through CSU's defense at University Stadium Saturday afternoon. The Lobos lost against CSU 28-21.

Sports

Football: Davie sticks with Jordan down the stretch

Liam Cary-Eaves | November 23

The weight of New Mexico’s Mountain West title dreams rested on the shoulder pads of redshirt sophomore quarterback Lamar Jordan late in Saturday’s 28-21 loss to Colorado State. It was fourth down and 5 on the CSU 49, and UNM trailed by seven as Jordan dropped back to pass, running the Lobos’ two-minute offense. The scrambling New Mexico signal caller stepped up in the pocket and took off toward the first down sticks on the left side of the gridiron, easily picking up the first down and stopping the clock in the process.

Senior Courtney Frerichs is embraced by one of her teammates after crossing the finish line at the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Nov. 21 in Louisville, KY. Frerichs was the first Lobo to cross the finish line, coming in 4th place to help UNM win its second ever national title.

Sports

Cross country: New Mexico takes home team's first national title

Robert Maler | November 23

Women’s cross country’s finished the season on Saturday the same way it started: as the best in the nation. The team captured its first national championship by winning the NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships at ‘Tom’ Sawyer State Park in Louisville, Kentucky. It is also UNM’s second national title in any sport, joining the 2004 skiing national champions.

Redshirt junior forward Tim Williams reaches past a Loyola player Wednesday Nov. 18 at WisePies Arena. The Lobos played USC this past Saturday and lost 90-82.

Sports

Men's basketball: Lobos take first loss of season at USC

J.R. Oppenheim | November 23

Despite two double-doubles from forward Tim Williams and center Obij Aget, New Mexico could not overcome a 21-point deficit in Saturday’s 90-82 loss at Southern California. Williams led the Lobos (3-1) in scoring for the second straight game, netting 25 points. He also pulled down 15 rebounds, the most since Alex Kirk had 16 in 2013. Aget finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

A rendering of the proposed locker room.

News

Baseball: Regents approve new clubhouse plan

J.R. Oppenheim | November 23

The UNM Board of Regents on Friday approved the next phase of renovations at Lobo Field: a clubhouse for the baseball team. By a unanimous decision the regents voted for the design, construction and lease for the R.D. and Joan Dale Hubbard Baseball Clubhouse. According to a memo provided to the regents, the 5,764-square-foot clubhouse will feature a locker room, players’ lounge, training and hydrotherapy rooms, restroom facilities and showers, coaches’ offices and stairs leading to a second-floor deck.

Guard Bryce Owens (12) tries to score against Sacramento State at WisePies Arena on Saturday afternoon. The Lobos collected a 84-71 win against the Hornets.

Sports

Women's basketball: UNM ousts Sacramento State by playing to strengths

Liam Cary-Eaves | November 23

New Mexico relied on its strengths in the paint in an 84-71 win against the unorthodox playing style of Sacramento State. The Lobos had a lot to prepare for in a short amount of time when taking on the Hornets. Sac State Head coach Bunky Harkleroad runs an offensive scheme that keeps his players on fresh legs at all times. Harkleroad regularly subs five players in at a time, providing consistent relief for his bench and starters.

Senior cornerback Cranston Jones tries to bring down CSU's Rashard Higgins at University Stadium Saturday night. The Lobos lost to the Rams 28-21 and lost their chance to make it to the Mountain West Championships.

Sports

Football: Lobos can't stop Rams offense

Thomas Romero-Salas | November 22

New Mexico’s defense still doesn’t have an answer for Colorado State. For the third straight year, the Rams' offense overwhelmed the Lobos in a 28-21 loss at University Stadium Saturday in front of 21,642 fans. CSU racked up 485 total yards of offense, didn’t punt once, and all but one of the Rams' drives ended in UNM territory.

Sports

Football: Lobos eye spot in MW Championship game

Thomas Romero-Salas | November 20

New Mexico has higher aspirations after earning its first bowl berth in nearly a decade. The Lobos next goal is a simple one: reach the Mountain West Championship game. That goal is well within reach for UNM after upsetting Utah State and Boise State in back-to-back weeks. UNM needs just two more home wins in order to earn a spot in the conference title match.