New Mexico Clinches Mountain West Title with Close Win Over Nevada

RENO, Nev. — The New Mexico Lobos secured at least a share of the Mountain West Conference regular-season title with a narrow 71-67 victory over the Nevada Wolf Pack on Tuesday night at Lawlor Events Center. Donovan Dent led the Lobos with 33 points, along with seven assists, ensuring that New Mexico, now 24-6 overall and 16-3 in conference play, will enter the league tournament as the top seed.

New Mexico’s next game is at home against UNLV, a chance to solidify their spot at the top of the standings. Meanwhile, the loss dropped Nevada’s record to 16-14 overall and 8-11 in conference play, leaving them needing a win against San Diego State on Saturday to gain momentum heading into the postseason.

The game started in favor of the Lobos as they jumped out to an early 12-4 lead, thanks to back-to-back three-pointers from Dent and forward Filip Borovicanin. However, Nevada responded with an 11-3 run, tying the game at 15 as they began to control the tempo.

“It’s definitely tough. We felt like we could’ve come out with the win tonight,” said Nevada guard Xavier DuSell after the game. “Sometimes the ball doesn’t bounce your way, but we stayed together. Anything can happen in March, so we’re just trying to gain momentum.”

As the first half unfolded, the lead fluctuated, with both teams exchanging scoring runs. Nevada managed to hold a slim 41-38 lead at halftime, aided by a solid performance from DuSell, who led the Wolf Pack with nine points at the break.

The second half kicked off with Nevada building a lead, thanks to a collective effort from forwards K.J. Hymes and Justin McBride, pushing their advantage to 54-47 midway through the period. However, New Mexico did not back down, with Dent consistently finding ways to score.

With under five minutes to play, the tension ramped up. Nevada briefly regained a one-point lead at 68-67 after a 6-1 run, narrowing the gap that New Mexico built earlier in the half.

In a crucial final stretch, New Mexico’s C.J. Noland made two free throws, extending their lead to 70-67 with just 27 seconds remaining. DuSell attempted a two-point shot to tie it but missed, allowing Dent to seal the game with one more free throw.

“It’s sad to send the fans home like that,” Sanders noted after the loss. “But we stuck together, and there’s still some season left. March Madness is what we all play for. You can never count anyone out, definitely don’t count us out.”

While Nevada finished the game shooting 44.6 percent from the field, their efforts were undermined by difficulties from beyond the arc, where they shot just 21.1 percent. New Mexico demonstrated more efficiency, especially in three-point shooting, finishing 50 percent from deep.

“Obviously, Dent is a heck of a player,” DuSell remarked. “Down the stretch, we tried to make him pass the ball, but he got loose early.”

As Nevada prepares for their final game against San Diego State, they will look to improve on their performance against New Mexico and finish the regular season strong.