Lobos to Start Final Scheduled Series Monday at Air Force

New Mexico at Air Force
Game 1 – Monday, Feb. 22, 2021 – 7:30 p.m. MT 
Clune Arena (Capacity: 5,843)

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico men’s basketball team is set to begin its final scheduled regular-season series on Monday, Feb. 22 as the Lobos take on Air Force inside Clune Arena at 7:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.

The Lobos (5-13, 1-13 MW) are no stranger to Clune Arena as they played their last series against Wyoming in the facility, which wrapped up on Friday. UNM enters the series after a pair of close games against the Cowboys in which New Mexico dropped an overtime matchup before exhibiting a 25-point comeback attempt in game two. The Lobos cut the 27-point game to a two-point game with less than four minutes to play before the Cowboys ran away with the win.

Air Force (4-16, 2-14 MW) enters the series coming off of a pair of losses to Fresno State on Feb. 11-13. Air Force has had nine days since its last contest while the Lobos will finish out six games in a span of 15 days.

Both teams are looking to end a losing streak as UNM has lost five straight (two in overtime) and Air Force is on a nine-loss streak.

New Mexico is led by senior Makuach Maluach who averages 15.1 points on the season and 14.6 points per game in conference play. Maluach also leads the team in rebounds with 6.1 per game overall and 5.3 in league play.

Air Force is led by two players in double figures including junior A.J. Walker (15.3) and senior Chris Joyce (10.8). Walker leads in conference play with 16.8 points per game. Sophomore Nikc Jackson leads the Falcons in rebounds with 3.6 per game on the season (3.4 MW).

SERIES HISTORY
The Lobos lead the series over the Falcons 61-24 including a 22-17 advantage on the road in Clune Arena. The teams are 2-2 over their last four matchups while UNM is 4-2 over the last six meetings and 3-2 in head coach Paul Weir’s tenure.

Last time the Lobos traveled to Clune Arena, the Lobos fell by two points, 60-58, on Feb. 26, 2020.

THE COACHES
Head coach Paul Weir is 57-60 in his fourth year at the helm of the Lobos, 85-66 in his fifth season as a head coach. Air Force head coach Joe Scott is 4-16 in his first season with the Falcons and is 239-256 in the 17th season of his career.

BROADCAST INFORMATION
Monday’s game will be available to watch live on CBS Sports Network. Fans can also follow live via live stats or listen in on the radio LIVE. Robert Portnoy and former Lobo Hunter Greene will be on the call on 96.3 FM/770 AM KKOB.