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Destinee Hooks: Lobo and leader

Rodney Prunty | February 16

Since joining the team in 2024, Lobo guard Destinee Hooks has been an impactful starter for the University of New Mexico. Hooks grew up in Indiana in a predominantly white neighborhood with two older brothers. Hooks was very active as a child, wanting to do everything her older brothers did, and because of that she was able to find her passion for the game of basketball. “My family has always inspired me since I was little, my mom has the best work ethic that I’ve seen, she wakes up early, goes to work, comes back home and does everything she needs to do at home, takes care of us, and supports us and it’s really inspiring,” Hooks said. “My brothers also have a crazy work ethic as well, so if I can get (an) opportunity to make it to the league in a couple of years and retire my family that would be a big blessing.”

Sports

Sprinter and student Kahari Wilbon perseveres toward goals

Shin Thant Hlaing | February 16

Coming off back-to-back personal bests for 400 meters and entering seventh place on the University of New Mexico’s all time indoor track list, Kahari Wilbon has had a running start to the year. As a sophomore pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in marketing, his studies and athletic endeavors cross-pollinate, allowing him to achieve successes in both, Wilbon said. “The principles that come within marketing are perseverance, being able to do more than one thing and keep yourself oriented while multi-tasking and making sure you have a strategic and proven plan to make sure you are the most successful you can be,” Wilbon said.

Sports

Women’s Hockey: Lobos close out first season with a sweep weekend

Elizabeth Bolke | February 15

The Lobo women’s ice hockey team finished out their first season with a doubleheader win against the Los Alamos Atomics. UNM left Los Alamos frozen on the ice with a score of 5-1 on Saturday. The next night, Sunday, UNM put up 3 points against Los Alamos’ 1 point. After Sunday night's game ended, the announcer closed out the game with a thank-you to the fans and supporters, along with congratulations to the first of many female athletes who will carve up the ice on the UNM women’s ice hockey team.

Sports

Women’s Basketball: Spartan spears narrowly avoid the Lobo’s hearts

Marley Herndon | February 14

The Lobos women’s basketball team came back to The Pit looking to get back in the win column after their dismantling at the hands of Boise State over the weekend. The University of New Mexico did just that with a 66-61 win over the San Jose State University Spartans on Wednesday, Feb. 11. This game had all the makings of a trap game as San Jose State entered this one with just three wins on the season and kept it close with the Lobos from start to finish, but the Lobos held on and won a close one.

Sports

Women’s Basketball: Broncos rattle Lobos in Boise

Rodney Prunty | February 9

The Lobos women’s basketball team took a trip up to Boise, Idaho, for a much anticipated matchup against the Boise State University Broncos. Coming into the game on Saturday, Feb. 7, both teams were riding high as they sparked up winning streaks with the Lobos’ four straight games and the Broncos’ eight. Adding to the game’s suspense, the last time these two teams met up, the University of New Mexico handled business at The Pit, defeating Boise State 70-63 in December 2025. In a game that had the making of a heavy weight bout between two Mountain West foes, it resembled more of a one-sided affair as the Broncos knocked down the Lobos 63-35.

Sports

Mens Basketball: Lobos drop second straight in tight battle with Broncos

Alex Joe | February 9

The Lobos men’s basketball team aimed to get back on track after a blowout loss to Utah State University as they hosted the Boise State University Broncos in The Pit. But in the end, their defense was not up to task again as the University of New Mexico lost 91-90 at home for their second straight defeat on Saturday, Feb. 7. Lobos Head Coach Eric Olen was disappointed in the loss but proud of his team’s effort, he said.

Sports

Lobo men’s basketball gets handed first home loss of the season by Utah State

Marley Herndon | February 8

The University of New Mexico Lobos men’s basketball team started February with a loss, returning to The Pit for a showdown with the Utah State University Aggies as the two teams were tied for second in the Mountain West Conference. The Lobos came in on a four game winning streak, and the Aggies came in on a three game winning streak of their own. One team had to give in, which meant an 86-66 point loss for the Lobos, as Utah State handed UNM its first loss at The Pit this season.

Sports

Lobo women's basketball lassos Cowgirls, running past Wyoming

Wyatt S. Padilla | February 8

Sitting at about 7,220 feet above sea level, the University of Wyoming is one of the toughest places in the country to play, with the highest altitude gym in Division I. The Lobos all- time are 15-27 in Laramie, and are 4-4 under Head Coach Mike Bradbury when visiting Wyoming. But on Wednesday, Feb. 4, the Lobo Women’s basketball team threw those stats aside and put Wyoming to the test, surging past the Cowgirls in the second quarter to take control of the game, and winning 58-51.

Sports

Lobo women’s tennis sweeps WNMU and CSU Pueblo

Michael Padilla | February 4

The University of New Mexico Women’s tennis team started 2026 with a bang, sweeping both Western New Mexico University and Colorado State University Pueblo 7-0. The Lobos started their day against WNMU and came out of the gate swinging with a whopping 6-0 wins in first and second-seed doubles, and a score of 6-1 in third-seed doubles. More than just doubles power, the Lobos handily picked up all six singles wins against WNMU, dropping only 10 sets out of 82 played overall.

Sports

Lobo mens basketball avoids trap game, downing San José State

Wyatt S. Padilla | February 2

Jan. 14, 2025, will remain one of the toughest pills to swallow from last year’s Lobo men’s basketball season, which resulted in a Mountain West Regular Season title and Second Round appearance in the NCAA Tournament. That Tuesday in January San Jose almost derailed the Lobos season as the 9-10 San José State University Spartans took down the Lobos. On Saturday, Jan. 31, Lobo fans were able to belt out a sigh of relief as guard Jake Hall led the Lobos to a 10-point victory over the Spartans while scoring a career-high 27 points, with a 90-80 victory.

Sports

Lobo women’s basketball shuts down Utah State Aggies In The Pit

Alex Joe | February 2

The University of New Mexico Lobo women’s basketball team, fresh off two straight wins, headed into battle versus the Utah State University Aggies in The Pit, looking to keep this momentum going on Saturday, Jan. 31. The Lobos proved to be too much for Utah State, building upon a huge halftime lead to win 58-33. UNM gained control early after closing out the first period on a 6-0 run to take a 19-7 lead. Utah State looked uncomfortable from the beginning as the Lobos held them to 2-13 from the field just over 15%.

Sports

Lobo Football reloads ahead of 2026 season

Edge Garcia | February 2

The Coach Jason Eck era in University of New Mexico Lobo football has given the city of Albuquerque a new spark when fall comes around at University Stadium. The Lobos are coming off a historical season, finished tied for second in the Mountain West conference with an overall record of 9-4 and an appearance in the Rate Bowl. So far the Lobos are losing eight players to the transfer portal. The most notable losses come on the offensive side of the ball; tight end Dorian Thomas is heading to the University of California, Berkeley, and running back DJ McKinney will play for University of Tulsa. Standout punter Daniel Hughes is also leaving, taking his talents to Florida State University.

Sports

OPINION: Bobbleheads of the week

Simon Reseigh | February 2

OPINION: Bobbleheads of the week Where there are winners, there are losers. While some losses are unavoidable, others can be traced to a single performance or decision. Those players earn the unfortunate distinction of being this week’s bobbleheads. The conference champions have been crowned, and ...

Sports

Lobo women’s basketball wins second straight, gets revenge on UNLV

Marley Herndon | January 30

Following their road victory in Colorado against the U.S. Air Force Academy, the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team returned to The Pit and won 68-57 against the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Lady Rebels to start this two-game homestand. This was the second meeting of these teams, with the first coming on Jan. 12, 2025, a game in which the Rebels emerged victorious over the Lobos. Much like the previous matchup, the Lobos got on the board first from a three by guard Destinee Hooks.

Sports

Historic night in Las Vegas: Lobo men’s basketball blows out Rebels

Austin Bishop | January 30

The University of New Mexico Lobos men’s basketball team walked into Las Vegas and dismantled their Mountain West rival, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 89-61. This marks the largest UNM victory over the Rebels in the history of the rivalry and rounded off one of UNM’s most complete performances this season, with the Lobos controlling the game from start to finish. UNM set the tone immediately, starting the game on a 4-0 run and forcing UNLV to use an early timeout. With the Lobos playing exceptional defense, UNLV could not keep the pace offensively as UNM grew their advantage, leading the first half strong.

Sports

UNM Track and Field shakes off the ice with season opener

Elizabeth Bolke | January 26

On Friday and Saturday, Jan. 23-24, the University of New Mexico track and field team held its first home meet of the season, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Invitational. The meet was held at the indoor track at the Albuquerque Convention Center, which features a 200-meter Mondo oval with 12-degree banked turns and six 36-inch lanes along with a 60-meter infield and high jump area. Kyra Mohns, assistant coach of sprints, hurdle and multis, said it is important to have meets at a higher altitude, especially at the beginning of the track and field season.

Sports

Lobo men’s basketball howls louder than the Wolf Pack

Alex Joe | January 26

The University of New Mexico Lobo men’s basketball team, after a home victory against the California State University, Fresno Bulldogs, aimed to defend their undefeated home record versus the University of Nevada, Reno Wolf Pack. The battle was tough on Saturday, Jan. 24, but in the end UNM pulled away late with a 80-73 victory. Lobo forward Tomislav Buljan only had two points in the first half but proved to be a force in the game, finishing with a double-double of 11 points and 15 rebounds.

Sports

Lobo women’s basketball breaks three game losing streak against Falcons

Wyatt S. Padilla | January 26

On Saturday, Jan. 24, The University of New Mexico Lobos Women’s basketball team lifted itself out of a massive slump that included a three-game losing streak, as sophomore guard Joana Magalhães scored a career-high 29 points, grounding the U.S. Air Force Academy at Falcon Stadium in a 74-57 win. Magalhães went nine of 14 from the field, five of six from three and went perfect from the free throw, going six of six. The Lobos saw a big-time return of their defense to offense style. The largest factor, besides Magalhães going off, was the 24 turnovers that the Lobos forced onto the Falcons, which created 18 points and 19 steals for UNM. Guard Alyssa Hargrove chipped in a game-high five steals, with Magalhães and guard Destinee Hooks combining for another seven.

Sports

OPINION: Bobbleheads of the week

Simon Reseigh | January 26

Where there are winners, there are losers. While some losses are unavoidable, others can be traced back to a single performance or decision. Those players earn the unfortunate distinction of being this week’s bobbleheads. The Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs wrapped up Sunday, Jan. 18, with an instant classic, as the Los Angeles Rams outlasted the Chicago Bears 20-17 in overtime in front of a raucous Soldier Field crowd. Meanwhile, the NHL season continues to roll along, and with the Winter Olympics approaching in Milan, many athletes are either justifying their selection to represent their country or giving fans reason to question those decisions. Here are the Bobbleheads of the Week, whose mistakes came at costly moments.

Sports

Lobos bounce back with win over Fresno State Bulldogs

Marley Herndon | January 22

After dropping their previous game in San Diego State, the University of New Mexico Lobos men’s basketball team returned home to face the California State University, Fresno Bulldogs and get back in the win column with an 83-74 victory in front of the fans. The Lobos got on the board first when guard Jake Hall hit a three, and despite the Bulldogs eventually taking a one-point lead, this sparked an early 14-0 run that the Lobos never looked back from. The Pit exploded when guard Luke Haupt dunked late in the first half, which felt like the exclamation on a first half that had the Lobos looking truly dominant.