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UNM men’s basketball emphasizes defense in win against Grambling State

Matthew Salcido | November 16

The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team beat Grambling State University 86-61 at The Pit on Monday. The win makes UNM 2-1 in their young season. Six Lobos scored in the game, and guards Jamal Mashburn Jr., Jaelen House, Taryn Todd and Javonté Johnson combined for all but 18 of the Lobos’ points. The first half was chaotic and was more amiable towards Grambling State’s style of play, ending with UNM only up by four points at halftime. However, Grambling State is a turnover-prone team, and once UNM turned up the defensive pressure, they were able to force 10 turnovers in the second half. The Lobos scored 29 points off of turnovers total, and House was able to come up with an incredible eight steals.

Sports

UNM boasts depth in win against Northern New Mexico

Matthew Salcido | November 15

The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team beat Northern New Mexico College 96-40 Friday, Nov. 12 at The Pit. Though largely uncompetitive, the game gave UNM a chance to field some of its younger players. Guard Vianè Cumber started for the first time as a Lobo and shot 7-10 from the field, including 3-5 from three. Cumber scored 17 points — the most on the team — and showcased her ability to shoot while moving. Still, after the game, she said she still feels most comfortable catching and shooting stationary. Cumber is the only UNM player from Albuquerque and was eager to start in The Pit. “I was really nervous, but I was really excited,” Cumber said.

Sports

UNM volleyball turns around losing streak, beats San Diego State

Annya Loya | November 14

The University of New Mexico volleyball team beat San Diego State University 3-0 in their last home match of the season at Johnson Center on Saturday, Nov. 13. The Lobos had suffered three losses in a row prior to Saturday but turned it around against the Aztecs, making their record now 18-9 and 9-7 in conference play. “It was a challenging week for us … We had to go through some adversity,” head coach Jon Newman-Gonchar said. “Every time you go through some adversity you learn who you really are, and what you really value. It was great to see them (work) together (to beat) this very good San Diego State team. I’m just very proud of our group.”

Sports

Women’s basketball wins first game against Lamar

Matthew Salcido | November 11

The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team won their first official game against Lamar University 71-54 on Tuesday at The Pit. The Lobos led the entire game, but Lamar was able to keep the score close in the first half largely due to two quick fouls on forward Shaiquel McGruder that limited her minutes and uncharacteristically poor shooting from guard Jaedyn De La Cerda, who was 0-7 in the first half. However, both McGruder and De La Cerda came alive in the second half, particularly in the third quarter where they were able to outscore Lamar 18-9 by themselves.

Sports

New Lobos basketball forward shows promise

Matthew Salcido | November 8

Every junior college transfer has something to prove once they get their chance at a Division I school, but one of the newest additions to the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team already knows that he’s ready to play in front of big crowds at The Pit. Jay Allen-Tovar is one of the newest members of the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team. He transferred over from Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) where he played for two seasons after not having the required grades to go directly to a Division I school. “(I am) super athletic, so you might see me dunk on somebody,” Allen-Tovar said. “And I can shoot threes.

Sports

UNM Spirit Marching Band excels in season of rebuilding

Natalie Jude | November 8

After missing the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of New Mexico Spirit Marching Band is comprised largely of new members since sophomores, along with freshmen, have never had the opportunity to be on the field before. Nonetheless, the band has excelled in their performances at Lobos football games and looks forward to ending their season this month on a high note. The Spirit Marching Band has approximately 90 students, almost half of which are new members, according to Associate Director of Bands Chad Simons. He’s extremely proud of the new group for managing to rebuild with such enthusiasm and care.

Sports

UNM football crushed by formerly winless UNLV

Spencer Butler | November 8

Over 14,000 people witnessed the Lobos football team’s devastating 31-17 loss to the previously winless University of Nevada, Las Vegas at University Stadium on Nov. 6. The Rebels’ win ended their 14-game losing streak, which had just become the longest in the nation earlier that day, and handed the Lobos their biggest setback of the season. Led once again by quarterback Isaiah Chavez, starting in place of the still-injured Terry Wilson, the Lobos went 91 yards on 10 plays and scored a touchdown on a one-yard reception by wide receiver Trace Bruckler at the start of the game. Up 0-7, UNM forced a punt by UNLV on their opening possession and looked to extend their lead.

Sports

UNM distance runner shows promise

Matthew Salcido | November 1

Aliandrea Upshaw, a biology major, is a young member of the University of New Mexico women’s cross country team, which is ranked the No. 1 college women’s cross country team nationwide. Although she’s academically a sophomore, Upshaw is classified as a freshman athletically due to NCAA COVID-19 sports reclassifications. Upshaw is one of a number of underclassmen runners who hold the promise to continue UNM women’s cross country’s status as the University’s most decorated athletic program; in Friday’s Mountain West Cross Country Championship race, Upshaw was among the first seven finishers — all of whom were from UNM — and finished fifth.

Sports

UNM volleyball rallies to beat CSU

Matthew Salcido | November 1

The University of New Mexico volleyball team beat Colorado State University 3-1 on Saturday at Johnson Center. The win makes UNM 7-3 in conference and 16-6 overall. CSU came into the match No. 1 in the Mountain West Conference having only lost one conference match to California State University, Fresno on Sept. 30. UNM started the first set with a powerful kill from outside hitter Kali Wolf. The Lobos continued the assault, going up 7-1 before CSU was forced to call a time-out. The Rams managed to get their offense together but continued to have service errors and couldn’t dent the lead, calling another timeout at 18-11.

Sports

Joe Lee Dunn, former UNM head football coach, dies at age 75

Matthew Salcido | October 31

Former Lobos football head coach Joe Lee Dunn passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 26 at the age of 75. Dunn was battling Alzheimer’s disease and passed away in his sleep at his home in Ohio. A defensive mastermind, Dunn served as head coach at the University of New Mexico from 1983-1986 after three seasons as an assistant coach and eight seasons as an assistant at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Dunn then went on to a storied career as a defensive coordinator at several college programs. Dunn is widely recognized as the credited inventor of the attacking 3-3-5 scheme, also known as the spread defense, used commonly by high school and college programs such as the University of Michigan, Texas Christian University and Brigham Young University.

Sports

Saquan Singleton out indefinitely for UNM basketball

Matthew Salcido | October 25

The University of New Mexico basketball team announced Monday that senior guard Saquan Singleton, the highest scoring and rebounding returning player from last year’s UNM team, is out indefinitely due to a heart abnormality that was discovered during routine tests after recovering from an illness. Head coach Richard Pitino said doctors told him that the abnormality was not COVID-19-related. It is not yet clear if or when Singleton will be cleared to play basketball again. Singleton, who stands at 6 feet 6 inches, is an extremely versatile player, particularly on the defensive end, who was expected to play big minutes at multiple positions for the Lobos. The loss is expected to hurt the Lobos defensively; Pitino said that at a recent scrimmage without Singleton, the size differential and its effects on the Lobos’ ability to rebound was noticeable. Pitino added that replacing Singleton until he is able to return will have to be a team effort.

Sports

Volleyball star Kaitlynn Biassou leads as key player

Matthew Salcido | October 24

Kaitlynn Biassou’s third season playing as outside hitter for the University of New Mexico volleyball team has been phenomenal, littered with accolades and the opportunity to lead as a star player. At this point, that’s normal for Biassou. Biassou was first named captain last season in her sophomore year, and was co-captain alongside libero Alena Moldan. As co-captain again this year with Moldan, she has blossomed into the role with confidence. “Over time I’ve adjusted, and I’ve learned what it’s like to be a leader,” Biassou said. “Sometimes it can be hard when (my teammates) have questions for me, and I don’t always have the answers, but I think now I’m more mature, and I’m still continuing to learn. But it’s something I’ve been better at since I was first named captain.”

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UNM football falls to Colorado State in season’s second-biggest loss

Spencer Butler | October 17

The University of New Mexico football team lost to Colorado State University 7-36 at University Stadium on Saturday, Oct 16, which is their second-biggest loss of the season. UNM has now lost their last five games, including all three conference games that they have played so far, making their record 2-5. The victory for CSU happened against a Lobos squad without Terry Wilson, who didn’t play in the contest due to a dislocated elbow, according to head coach Danny Gonzales. Freshman quarterback C.J. Montes took Wilson’s place; prior to Saturday’s game, Montes had only played briefly in the loss against San Diego State University on Oct. 9, attempting one pass and rushing for -1 yards.

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UNM women’s basketball predicted to finish second in Mountain West

Matthew Salcido | October 13

The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team were predicted to finish second in the Mountain West Conference in the 2021-22 preseason poll, decided by the Conference’s head coaches and select members of the media and released today. The Lobos received seven first-place votes, only behind California State University, Fresno, who received thirteen. The separation between the Bulldogs and Lobos in total vote count (269-251) and first-place votes is the closest between the predicted first- and second-place finishers since the 2017-18 season, indicating a closer than average gap between the top two teams as perceived by the head coaches and media.

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UNM volleyball beats Boise State 3-1

Annya Loya | October 10

The University of New Mexico volleyball team beat Boise State University 3-1 in a home match at Johnson Center on Saturday. With this win, UNM is 14-3 for their season and 5-1 in conference play, tied for first in the Mountain West Conference. The Boise State Broncos promised to be one of UNM’s toughest opponents yet as the Broncos entered the match with 14 wins and only three losses. Boise State has averaged a 0.266 kill percentage throughout the season compared to UNM’s 0.248 percentage. “We came into the game knowing it was going to be one of the biggest tests of the season so far and the highlight is we didn’t back down,” head coach Jon Newman-Gonchar said.

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UNM soccer pulls out 1-0 win against Boise State

Matthew Salcido | October 3

The University of New Mexico soccer team defeated Boise State University 1-0 at University Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 3. The Lobos are now 9-2 overall and 4-0 in conference play, good enough for the top spot in the Mountain West Conference women’s soccer standings. Just two days after a grueling double-overtime win against Utah State on Oct. 1, this game was never going to be an easy one, even though the Broncos had also had to play a game on Friday, Oct. 1. Boise State proved to be extremely physical, committing 12 fouls and receiving three yellow cards for unsporting behavior.

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UNM losses to Texas A&M, UTEP set stage for conference play

Spencer Butler | September 30

The University of New Mexico football team will return home this weekend after two road losses against Texas A&M University on Sept. 18 and the University of Texas at El Paso on Sept. 25. These losses put UNM at 2-2 as they prepare to enter conference play against the United States Air Force Academy on Oct. 2. Texas A&M is the only team ranked in The Associated Press’ top 25 that UNM was scheduled to play, and it was expected to be a hard game for the Lobos. In the game, Aggies quarterback Zach Calzada threw for three touchdowns and 275 yards, and Aggies running back Isaiah Spiller ran the ball 117 yards.

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UNM soccer wins first conference game against Wyoming 4-1

Matthew Salcido | September 26

The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team defeated the University of Wyoming Cowgirls 4-1 in a high-octane scoring rout on Sept. 24 at University Stadium. The win comes against the Lobos’ first conference opponent of the season and puts UNM 6-2 overall. The match started with a Wyoming goal only 2:20 in that was so unexpected it felt like an accident; the Wyoming bench went wild when defender Savannah Warner sailed the ball into the bottom right of the goal off an assist from midfielder Jamie Tatum. UNM’s normally clamorous crowd quieted even as the Lobos came close to tying the score on three different shots.

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UNM volleyball beats Air Force, Fresno State 3-0

Annya Loya and Matthew Salcido | September 26

The University of New Mexico volleyball team won their first two conference matches 3-0 at home, the first against the United States Air Force Academy on Sept. 21 and the second against California State University, Fresno on Sept. 23. The first sets of both matches were the closest as the Lobos went 25-20 against Air Force and 26-24 against Fresno State. UNM managed to beat both of their opponents in every single basic statistic except one (UNM lost digs against Air Force 29-30). UNM was ruthlessly efficient against Air Force with a 0.453 kill percentage, and they just flat-out beat Fresno State across the board.

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UNM beats NMSU 34-23 in rivalry game

Spencer Butler | September 12

The University of New Mexico football team beat their in-state rivals, the New Mexico State University Aggies, 34-23 in front of a strong crowd of 28,470 fans at University Stadium on Saturday. This is the first time UNM has won their first two games of a season since 2005. UNM got off to a quick start, opening the game with a 3 play, 64-yard touchdown drive that was capped by a 4-yard rush from running back Bobby Cole. The only score NMSU was able to manage as a response in the first quarter was a 43-yard field goal from kicker Ethan Albertson before the Lobos got another touchdown from a Terry Wilson Jr. 15-yard pass to tight end Connor Witthoft.