Lobos seeking redemption at Nevada

Jan. 10, 2026 was a day the UNM women's basketball team would love to forget.

Leading 53-48 after three quarters at the Pit, the Lobos melted down in a flurry of missed shots and turnovers over the final 10 minutes. Final score: Nevada 70, UNM 61.

Just how ugly was that fourth quarter, you ask?

New Mexico had as many turnovers (8) as it had points, went 3-for-15 from the field and suffered its first and only loss of the season when leading after three quarters (18-1).

The Lobos will have a chance to atone Saturday when they visit Nevada at Reno's Lawlor Events Center. It's a key game for UNM, and head coach Mike Bradbury hopes his players haven't put that first meeting with the Wolf Pack out of their minds just yet.

"We better not have," Bradbury said. "Nevada's a tough matchup for us because they rebound the ball so well and that's usually one of our strengths. They beat us up on the boards last time and we kind of lost our composure in the fourth quarter. We've been disciplined and playing the right way recently and that has to continue (Saturday)."

Things have gone in different directions for the Lobos and Wolf Pack since mid-January. UNM (20-9, 12-6 Mountain West) is on a three-game winning streak and has won nine of its last 11. Nevada defeated San Jose State on Wednesday but has lost 10 of 12 overall.

The Lobos come into Saturday's game in fifth place in the MWC standings with two games remaining, but they have an opportunity to claim one of four first-round byes for the upcoming Mountain West tournament. Colorado State, UNLV and Boise State are tied for second place with 13-5 conference records and at least one of them will suffer another loss. Boise State visits UNLV on Tuesday night.

For UNM, the task is simple but not easy. The Lobos need to win their final two games — at Nevada and home against Fresno State on Tuesday. That means protecting the paint, Bradbury said.

The Wolf Pack and the Bulldogs attempt and make fewer 3-pointers than any other Mountain West teams, but both are adept at scoring inside. Nevada put up 34 points in the paint at the Pit, led by attacking guards Skylar Durley and Ahrray Young.

"They like to play fast and get downhill whenever they can," Bradbury said. "We have to get back defensively and keep them out of the paint. We want to slow them down a little, but we won't slow it down on offense. They like to pressure defensively. When they do, we need to attack."

UNM has been getting balanced scoring lately and has had four players score in double figures in each of its last three games. Destinee Hook still leads the Lobos in scoring at 12.6 points per game, but Hooks has been held in check recently with other players picking up the slack. UNM does not have anyone among the Mountain West's top 20 scorers in league play.