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.

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.

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.

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.

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.