After last week’s turkey trot race in The Pit, the University of New Mexico Lobos men’s basketball team found itself in a more comfortable game against their northern New Mexican cousin, the New Mexico Highlands University Cowboys. The Lobos would take care of business and walk out having more than doubled NMHU’s total scoring, winning 97-47 on Monday, Dec. 1.
Thanksgiving may have been on the mind for the rest of New Mexico, but on the eve of Turkey Day, the University of New Mexico Men’s basketball team had one more thing on its plate as the Lobos faced the Alabama State University Hornets. On Wednesday, Nov. 26, the Lobos overcame the odds and won a 93-87 victory, recovering from a 15-point deficit near the end of the first half. UNM has faced Alabama State in two previous matchups in The Pit, with the Lobos beating the Hornets on both occasions. The last matchup between the two was in 1999 at the Lobo Invitational, with UNM beating Alabama State 68-47.
In a clash of titans, the University of New Mexico Lobos and Texas Tech University Red Raiders met in The Pit on Sunday, Nov. 23, with the Raiders ultimately defeating the Lobos 82-57. The game featured a strong Lobo team — who have been blowing out opponents by an average of 26 points over the last four games, outrebounding opponents by double digits, and have held their last two opponents, including New Mexico State University, to only 45 points — against the Big 12 leader, Texas Tech. The Red Raiders had started the season 6-0, defeated power conference teams Mississippi State University, Southern Methodist University and University of Arkansas, outscoring opponents by a margin of 25 points, barely outrebounding opponents and demonstrating grit to the end of each possession. It’s fair to say the match was greatly anticipated.
On Sunday, Nov. 16, the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team was out for revenge in Las Cruces looking to take down the New Mexico State Aggies, who swept the Lobos last year. The Aggies led the rivalry in the last five games 3-2, but throughout his tenure, Lobos Head Coach Mike Bradbury dominated the Aggies 11-4. This game followed suit, snapping NMSU’s win streak of two, with a Lobo triumph of 77-45. The Lobos showed how deep their bench can get, as it accounted for 36 points, with 10 of the Lobos getting a bucket in their dominant performance over the Aggies. Sophomore guard Nayli Padilla came off the bench as the leading scorer for UNM with 14 points, going four of five from three, and grabbing six boards in 25 minutes. The Lobos, for the second time in a row, outrebounded their opponent by a double-digit margin, 43-31.
On Wednesday, Nov. 12, the University of New Mexico’s women’s basketball team was playing to a crowd that included field trippers from metro area schools, and the Lobos were putting on a lesson of offensive firepower against the University of New Orleans Privateers. This lesson included appearances from every single Lobo player, with Destinee Hooks leading UNM with 18 points over their 99-65 blowout win over the Privateers. Hooks put on a show for the young crowd, as she had 18 points, shooting 58% on the night, grabbing four rebounds and one block. Coming off the bench, Nayli Padilla tied her career high of 15 points, which she hit just three days prior against North Carolina A&T. Padilla is proving herself to be a key offensive threat for the Lobos off the bench.
On Sunday, Nov. 9, the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team hosted the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Aggies. The Lobos were forced to rely on defensive pressure as the Aggies were a tough bug to swat away. New Mexico’s offense had its moments, allowing the Lobos to stay in pace or jump ahead, but overall could be disjointed, as they were forced to work for their 71-64 win. That is not to say the flow of the game was serene; it was more like hitting every light on Central Ave., as 44 fouls were called, half of which were on UNM. Lobo guard Destinee Hooks led UNM in scoring, as the junior had 20 points, shooting 46% on the night, drawing three steals and gaining four boards.
The Lobos put on a display of defense that led the Lobos to a blowout victory of 74-56 at The Pit on Saturday, Nov. 8, when the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team hosted the University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks. Forward Tomislav Buljan led the Lobos in scoring, as the freshman had 17 points, shooting six of eight on the night, drawing six fouls and converting five of seven at the free-throw line. Lobos guard Deyton Albury also chipped in 15 points and helped lead the defensive front, creating three steals while being a pest for the Mavericks. Last year, the Lobos were one of the fastest-paced teams in the country. This year, the defense has led the way for the team two games into the season, with the Lobos’ offense seeming a bit disjointed at times.
On Monday, Nov. 3, the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team hosted the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks in its season opener, showcasing shooting and depth in a 71-59 win. Cacia Antonio, who started in the first exhibition game and scored 10 points in the second game, did not play due to being ineligible for the first three regular-season games due to participation on a club team during the COVID-19 pandemic while in Angola. The Lobos put the Lumberjacks to the test, playing at a high tempo on both ends of the ball. Offensively, the Lobos were able to get production from ten of the 12 rostered players.
The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team was coming off a tough week, with a draw and a loss, but bounced back this week getting back in the win column on Thursday, Oct. 23, when the team faced the University of Wyoming Cowgirls during Senior Night, handing the Cowgirls a shutout loss, winning 1-0. Two seniors were honored at the game: forwards Alejandra Puerto and Mercedes Morris were the focus of the senior celebration. Puerto was able to put the Lobos on top early in the game, as she connected with the net not even five minutes into the match.
The University of New Mexico Women’s Basketball team came out hot in The Pit on Wednesday, Oct. 22, where the team hosted the Division II Adams State University Grizzlies in the squad’s first of two exhibition games they will play. UNM started junior guard Destinee Hooks, graduate guard Alyssa Hargrove, junior transfer guard Cacia Antonio, sophomore guard Joana Magalhães and redshirt senior center Clarissa Craig. This could be the first indication of who will start for the team after UNM lost two key starters from last year, Vianè Cumber and Hulda Joaquim.
Solutions by The State News
