NEWS
Cold Shooting, Costly Lapses End Lobos’ Season in NIT Semifinal Loss to Tulsa
INDIANAPOLIS, IA—New Mexico’s season came to a disappointing end with a 74–69 loss to Tulsa in the NIT semifinals, as defensive lapses and cold shooting proved too much to overcome. The Lobos struggled to contest Tulsa’s early three-point barrage and never fully adjusted, while shooting just 7-of-33 from deep themselves. Despite a strong second half from Jake Hall and a brief comeback to tie the game, UNM faltered late as Tulsa closed on a decisive 8-0 run that would be the difference in the game. The loss not only ended the Lobos’ postseason run but also raised questions about roster decisions, player futures, and the program’s direction moving forward.
UNM’s 3-Point Defense Put to the Test vs. Red-Hot Tulsa Offense
INDIANAPOLIS, IA—UNM men’s basketball will take on Tulsa in the NIT semifinal at Hinkle Fieldhouse with a trip to the championship on the line. The Golden Hurricane (29-7) bring one of the nation’s top offenses, averaging nearly 85 points per game behind elite three-point shooting. For the Lobos, success will hinge on limiting clean perimeter looks and disrupting Tulsa’s rhythm with defensive pressure. Offensively, UNM can exploit Tulsa’s lack of rim protection by attacking the paint. If the Lobos control tempo and win inside, they’ll have a strong chance to advance.
Lobos Protect Home Court One Last Time, Beat St. Joseph’s 84–69 to Advance to NIT Final Four
ALBUQUERQUE, NM—In their final game at the Pit this season, UNM rallied from a two-point halftime deficit to defeat St. Joseph’s 84–69 in the NIT quarterfinal. Tomislav Buljan led the Lobos with 27 points and 11 rebounds, while Jake Hall added 24 points and set the Mountain West freshman scoring record. After struggling offensively in the first half, UNM attacked the basket and dominated the free throw line in the second, going 18-of-22. St. Joseph’s cooled off from three-point range after halftime, helping UNM pull away. The Lobos now advance to face Tulsa in the NIT semifinal in Indianapolis.
Lobos Rally Without Albury, Dominate George Washington to Reach NIT Quarterfinal
ALBUQUERQUE, NM—Shorthanded but unfazed, UNM men’s basketball delivered another dominating NIT performance in an 86-61 win over George Washington to advance to the NIT Quarterfinal. Without starting guard Deyton Albury and with Antonio Chol playing through injury, the Lobos leaned on depth, defense, and a dominant second-half surge to take control. Jake Hall sparked a decisive 10-0 run, while freshman Uriah Tenette continued his steady rise at point guard to finish with 15 points, six assists and no turnovers. Now, UNM turns its attention to St. Joesph’s, who came back from 19-point deficit at Cal and won 76-75. Tipoff is at 7 pm MT and the game will air on ESPN 2.
Lobos Run Bearkats Out of the Pit in NIT Opener
ALBUQUERQUE, NM—UNM opened its NIT run in dominant fashion, rolling past Sam Houston 107–83 at the Pit in front of 7,286 fans. The Lobos showcased a complete performance, using defensive pressure to fuel a fast-paced offense that scored 26 fastbreak points and eclipsed 100 points with still four and a half minutes to play. Tomislav Buljan led the way with a 22 point and 10 rebound double-double, while Uriah Tenette added a career-high 20 points. UNM controlled the game from the start, building a double-digit lead early and pulling away with a decisive second-half run. With the win, the Lobos advance to face George Washington in the second round of the NIT on Sunday.
Lobos Earn a No. 1 Seed in NIT, Will Host Sam Houston Wednesday at the Pit
New Mexico’s postseason continues Wednesday night as the Lobos host Sam Houston in the first round of the NIT at the Pit. UNM earned one of four No. 1 seeds in the 32-team tournament after falling short of an NCAA Tournament bid. The Bearkats bring an up-tempo offense that averages 82 points per game and shoots nearly 40 percent from three-point range, while also ranking among the nation’s top offensive rebounding teams. Sam Houston finished second in Conference USA and has won six of its last nine games. The Lobos could host a second-round game Sunday with a win if scheduling allows.
Missed Opportunities Haunt UNM in 64–62 Mountain West Tournament Loss to San Diego State
LAS VEGAS, NV—Heartbreak in Las Vegas: Free Throw Woes and Missed Layups Doomed the Lobos
Basketball is often a game of inches, but for the University of New Mexico, it was a game of missed opportunities at the stripe and the rim. Despite a heroic 20-point performance from Deyton Albury, the Lobos’ Mountain West Tournament run came to a screeching halt in a 64–62 semi-final loss to San Diego State.
In a contest decided by a single possession, UNM’s inability to capitalize on the "easy" shots proved fatal. The Lobos left 13 points at the free-throw line, shooting a season-low 53.6%, and struggled to finish through the Aztecs' length, converting only 9-of-26 layups. While Albury’s late-game surge tied the score in the final minute, history repeated itself as SDSU’s BJ Davis buried yet another game-winner, mirroring his late-game heroics from earlier this season.
Elamin Shines as Utah State’s Defense Locks Down Nevada for Championship Berth
LAS VEGAS, NV—Aggies Smother Wolf Pack to Secure Title Berth. Utah State doesn’t just play downhill, they play like an avalanche. After a gritty first half left the Aggies clinging to a 39-32 lead, the air in the arena shifted. What followed wasn’t just a scoring run; it was a defensive masterclass. Utah State unleashed a relentless blitz to open the second period, forcing eight quick turnovers and fueling a decisive 18-5 run that turned a contest into a coronation. As the lead swelled, the deafening chants of “Up by 20” from The Hurd served as the funeral march for Nevada’s season.
Lobos Wear Down Spartans to Reach Semifinals
LAS VEGAS, NV—New Mexico Lobos men's basketball advanced to the Mountain West Tournament semifinals with a 93–77 win over the San Jose State Spartans men's basketball, using a dominant second half to pull away. San Jose State stayed close early behind hot three-point shooting from guard Colby Garland and Jermaine Washington, but the Spartans faded as the game wore on after a physically demanding opening-round win the night before. New Mexico turned up its defensive pressure after halftime and controlled the paint, outscoring San Jose State 56–24 inside. Tomislav Buljan led the Lobos with 25 points and 14 rebounds, while Jake Hall added 19 points. New Mexico will face San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball in the semifinals.
Wolf Pack Outlast Grand Canyon in 3-Hour, 51-Foul Quarterfinal Battle
A Marathon in the Mountain West: Wolfpack Survives Whistle-Heavy Thriller
In a Mountain West Quarterfinal defined by 51 fouls and a relentless parade to the free-throw line, Nevada outlasted Grand Canyon 84-80 in a physical slugfest at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Despite trailing by as many as 12 points and facing a sea of purple "Havocs" fans, the Wolfpack clawed back behind a masterful performance from Corey Camper Jr., whose 27 points sparked a decisive second-half surge. While the Lopes found success early from deep, Nevada’s defensive adjustments and late-game poise proved to be the difference-maker.
Utah State Runs Runnin’ Rebels Off the Floor in Quarterfinal of Mountain West Conference Tournament
ALBUQUERQUE, NM—UNM men’s basketball missed a major opportunity to secure a chance at the outright Mountain West regular season title with an 82–74 loss to Colorado State on senior night at the Pit. The Lobos struggled defensively early, allowing the Rams to shoot 62% from the field while building a 19-point lead. UNM forced 20 turnovers and mounted a late rally, cutting the deficit to four in the final minute, but Colorado State sealed the game at the free throw line. The loss leaves UNM still in second place in the conference standings and needing a win against Utah State to earn at least a share of the Mountain West title.
The Pit West Awaits: Can Eric Olen’s Lobos Conquer the Final MWC Gauntlet?
The Final Word
The road through the Mountain West has never been more unpredictable, but the Lobos have spent all season proving they belong in the conversation. From the wreckage of an emptied roster to the emergence of a freshman phenom in Jake Hall, New Mexico has already defied the skeptics.
Now, the stakes are simple: tighten the defense, balance the scoring, and embrace the "next man up" mentality that has defined the Eric Olen era.
In a conference that is about to change forever, the Lobos have one final chance to leave their mark on the "Pit West." The bracket is set, the chips are down, and for this gritty squad, the real season starts now.
Lobo Bubble Pops in Logan: Jake Hall’s Record Night Not Enough to Secure MW Title
The margin between a Mountain West championship and a nervous flight to Las Vegas is often measured in inches, but on Saturday afternoon at the Spectrum, it was measured in free throws and paint points.
Despite a historic, 32-point masterpiece from freshman phenom Jake Hall, who shattered a 30-year-old school scoring record in the process, the University of New Mexico couldn't withstand a relentless Utah State assault. In a 94-90 thriller that lived up to the hype but delivered a knockout blow to the Lobos’ at-large hopes, New Mexico saw both a share of the conference title and their NCAA Tournament at-large chances slip through their fingers.
One of Our Own: Why Ryan Berryman is the Homegrown Leader UNM Athletics Deserves
For the first time in nearly four decades, the University of New Mexico isn't looking for a savior from a map—they found him right here at home.
The era of the "stepping-stone" director is over. In Ryan Berryman, the Lobos haven't just hired a resume; they’ve elevated a 32-year-old alum who once hauled water as a basketball manager and now carries the future of the department on his shoulders. From securing multi-million dollar naming rights for The Pit to fast-tracking stadium renovations, Berryman is proving that when you love a place, you don't just maintain it—you build it.
Defensive Breakdowns Cost UNM a Chance at Outright Mountain West Title in Loss to Colorado State
ALBUQUERQUE, NM—UNM men’s basketball missed a major opportunity to secure a chance at the outright Mountain West regular season title with an 82–74 loss to Colorado State on senior night at the Pit. The Lobos struggled defensively early, allowing the Rams to shoot 62% from the field while building a 19-point lead. UNM forced 20 turnovers and mounted a late rally, cutting the deficit to four in the final minute, but Colorado State sealed the game at the free throw line. The loss leaves UNM still in second place in the conference standings and needing a win against Utah State to earn at least a share of the Mountain West title.
One Game at a Time: UNM Faces Red-Hot Colorado State with Mountain West Title Hopes on the Line
ALBUQUERQUE, NM—A critical Mountain West showdown awaits as the New Mexico Lobos host the red-hot Colorado State Rams at The Pit. With a share of the Mountain West Conference regular-season title still within reach, UNM must stay locked in against a CSU team riding a seven-game winning streak. The Rams are powered by elite ball movement and the sizzling 3-point shooting of Brendon Rechsteiner, who has caught fire from beyond the arc. For the Lobos, the formula is simple: defend the perimeter, apply pressure and protect their home floor to keep championship hopes alive.
Tomislav Buljan Powers Lobos Past San Diego State in Aztecs’ Final Pit Appearance
ALBUQUERQUE, NM—Tomislav Buljan returned to form in the biggest moment of the season, erupting for 24 points and 18 rebounds to lead UNM past San Diego State 81-76 in a sold-out, stripe-out showdown at The Pit. After a five-game stretch without a double-double, the freshman delivered his 12th of the season, tying a program record and anchoring the Lobos’ physical edge. UNM capitalized on second-chance opportunities and free throws while surviving late-game chaos to secure the rivalry win. The victory moves the Lobos into a tie for second place in the Mountain West, keeping their conference title hopes alive heading into the final stretch
Last Dance in The Pit: Aztecs, Lobos Write Closing Act of Storied Series
ALBUQUERQUE, NM—Saturday’s final showdown in The Pit between will likely be decided by the small details when UNM host the San Diego State Aztecs with first place in the Mountain West Conference still in play for the Lobos. UNM must tighten its first-dribble defense to slow SDSU’s attack of downhill drivers and mid-range scorers. In the half court, the Lobos will need efficient rim finishes and timely perimeter shot-making against one of the nation’s top defensive units. Controlling rebounds, capitalizing at the free-throw line, and avoiding costly late turnovers could be the difference in a rivalry game where every possession carries championship weight.
Lobos Let Quad 1 Road Opportunity Slip Away Against Nevada
RENO, NV—A Quad 1 win was within reach, but UNM men's basketball let it slip through their fingers in a 67-60 loss to Nevada on the road. After surviving a frigid first half, the Lobos surged ahead by nine with just over 13 minutes left, fueled by Jake Hall’s breakout stretch. Then the unraveling began. Turnovers turned into points, free throws clanged off iron, and rebounds fell into Wolf Pack hands. Nevada seized every opening, closing on a decisive run while UNM faltered down the stretch. What once looked like a statement win dissolved into a lesson in missed opportunities.