Lobos in the mix heading into MW second half

Ten down, 10 to go for the University of New Mexico women's basketball team.

What will the second half bring?

The Lobos tip off the Mountain West Conference season's home stretch Saturday at home against Utah State on a high note after back-to-back wins over Air Force and UNLV. The latter victory, 68-57 over the four-time defending league champion Rebels on Wednesday, demonstrated that UNM remains a force to contend with in a competitive MWC race.

The first half was a roller-coaster ride for New Mexico (14-7, 6-4 MWC), which sits in fifth place at the halfway point. The Lobos beat two of the league's top contenders in Colorado State and UNLV, but also dropped home games to Nevada and Grand Canyon as part of a three-game losing streak.

San Diego State (10-0) has put itself in the driver's seat and has the scheduling advantage of not having to visit the Pit this season. But just three games separate the next five teams in the standings: UNLV (8-2), CSU (8-3), Boise State (7-3), UNM (6-4) and Grand Canyon (6-5).

With 12 teams in the fold this season, only the top four finishers earn first-round byes at the Mountain West tournament March 7-10 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Which teams have the inside track? Lobos coach Mike Bradbury smiled and shrugged at the question.

"There's no telling," he said. "Some teams have heavy schedules on the front end, some are heavier on the back. The top six teams have separated themselves a little bit but even that can change in the second half. You really can't evaluate until you play all 20."

UNM has several big tests remaining, including difficult road trips to Boise State and Grand Canyon, but the Lobos have a relatively favorable schedule in the second half with SDSU and UNLV already behind them and Colorado State coming to the Pit.

Understandably, UNM's players are not thinking too far ahead.

"When we get comfortable, we struggle," junior Drew Jordon said. "We need to do what we did (Wednesday) against UNLV, play desperate and have that need to win. We need to have that mindset every time out."

That includes Saturday's game against Utah State (6-14, 2-9), which has shown significant improvement this season and gave first-place San Diego State all it could handle in a 73-72 defeat on Jan. 10.

"They're very talented," Bradbury said of the Aggies. "They have dynamic guards (led by USC transfer Aaliyah Gayles) and a big post (Sophie Sene) who can really play. They'll press the whole game and switch defenses. We have to be focused and aggressive against them."

Junior Destinee Hooks, UNM's leading scorer, agreed.

"I think discipline is the big thing," she said. "Discipline was kind of our word of the week during our bye last week and we've taken it to heart. We've worked hard on making better passes, reversing the ball more, just being more disciplined. I think it's helped and it needs to continue."

Jordon stressed the importance of focusing on each of the UNM's 10 upcoming opponents regardless of their records.

"That's the thing in our league this year," she said, "every team is good in their own way and you can't overlook anyone. Every game's a battle and I love it. These next 10 games will be a good test for us and we need to show we can rise to the occasion."

ROSTER ADDITION: Freshman Quintilla Hidalgo was recently added to the Lobos' roster and has begun practicing with the team. A 5-foot-9 guard from Almere, The Netherlands, Hidalgo enrolled in classes at UNM earlier this month.

Hidalgo, who graduated from high school and signed with New Mexico in the fall, is not eligible to play this season but can practice and serve as a member of UNM's scout team. She is hoping to get a head start on classes and preparation for the 2026-27 season, Bradbury said.

Hidalgo competed for The Netherlands Youth National Team for the last three years. At the 2025 FIBA U18 EuroBasket tournament she averaged 13.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.