New Mexico Stuns Marquette in NCAA Tournament Upset

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The New Mexico Lobos pulled off a shocking upset over the Marquette Golden Eagles in the first round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, defeating the No. 7 seed 75-66 on March 21. New Mexico, a No. 10 seed, showcased resilience after trailing late in the first half to secure its first tournament win since 2012.

The game started with Marquette quickly falling behind, with New Mexico surging to a 16-9 lead just seven minutes into the match. Despite narrowing the gap to a three-point deficit at halftime, the Golden Eagles struggled to regain control after the break.

Head coach Shaka Smart expressed disappointment with his team’s performance coming out of the locker room, saying, “We just didn’t have that punch we needed in the second half.” Marquette regained the lead momentarily at 58-57 after a three-pointer from David Joplin with 6:44 left, but New Mexico responded with a decisive 10-0 run that ultimately sealed the game.

David Joplin, a standout for Marquette, finished the night with 28 points, marking his last game with the team. “I wanted to go out with a win, it hurts to lose like this,” Joplin said, visibly upset. “We fought hard, but it just didn’t come together at the end.”

New Mexico’s success stemmed from a balanced attack, highlighted by Donovan Dent’s performance – he scored 21 points and dished out numerous assists. The Lobos maintained their momentum, and even as Marquette gained momentum at points, they were constantly challenged by New Mexico’s defensive pressure.

The victory for New Mexico underscores the volatility of tournament play, especially the unpredictable outcomes between No. 10 and No. 7 seeds. “Every year, you see these kinds of upsets, and I think we’ve shown we deserve to be here,” said New Mexico’s coach, Richard Pitino. “This team has the heart and the talent to keep advancing.”

As the game ended, the Lobos celebrated their first-round triumph with the hope of continuing their run in the tournament. They will face the No. 2 seed Michigan State in the next round after the Spartans won their game earlier in the day.

This tournament has seen its fair share of surprises, and with this significant upset, the road ahead is filled with uncertainty and excitement for fans and teams alike.