Lobos Stun Nevada

Lobo fans remember the day well; January 7th, 2017. The New Mexico Lobos owned a 25-point lead with 10 minutes to play in The Pit. The Lobos collapsed over the next 10 minutes and dropped a heart breaker in overtime that night. Almost two years later and Lobo fans might finally start to forget that night.

Anthony Mathis dropped in 27 points on Saturday on 7-of-19 shooting from the field, including five three pointers, to propel the New Mexico Lobos to an 85-58 win over #6 Nevada on Saturday night in The Pit.

There would be no comeback this evening as UNM’s zone defense frustrated Nevada all night. Only Jordan Caroline scored in double figures for the Wolfpack with 17 points. Nevada shot 33% from the field and hit just four three point baskets for the game.

The game quickly got away from Nevada early on. Caleb Martin made a free throw with 16:28 to go in the first half to make it 3-2 Nevada, and that would be the last time the Wolfpack would lead.

The Lobos offense took off from there with a variety of players chipping in to help build a 38-23 lead as the first half closed out. Nevada got some momentum right before the break when Jazz Johnson knocked down a three at the buzzer to close the game to 38-26.

Nevada started the second half strong as Trey Porter scored on a quick jumper and a free throw. Then, following a Vance Jackson jumper for UNM, Jordan Caroline made two free throws to get the lead down to 40-31. From there, however, Mathis and company took over.

Mathis would score the next six points to extend the lead to 46-31. Nevada closed a bit thanks to some stingy defense on Mathis, and got within 50-39 before Vance Jackson chipped in for UNM. Jackson scored 11 of his game’s 18 points in the second half, and had a couple of huge three point baskets to keep Nevada at bay.

Caleb Martin came into the game averaging 19 points a game was held to just 8 points on 2-of-14 shooting, struggling along with the rest of the Wolfpack on the offensive end. Nevada also committed 14 turnovers in the loss.

For New Mexico, this is their third consecutive win, and are now 2-0 to open up Mountain West play. For Nevada, this is their first loss on the season, which leaves three undefeated teams left in the nation, and are now 1-1 in MWC play.

The 8-6 (2-0) Lobos will next go up against UNLV on Tuesday back in The Pit, while the Wolfpack will be back in action Wednesday night when they host San Jose State in Reno. There will be a rematch between New Mexico and Nevada in Reno on February 9th.