No. 25 Lobos Return Home to Host Nevada Sunday Night at The Pit
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M – The No. 25 New Mexico men’s basketball team looks to extend its win streak to five as it returns home on Sunday night to host Nevada. Game time at The Pit is 8:00 p.m. and the game will air on FS1 and the Lobo Radio Network.
The first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive an oversized Lobo paw for their hand. At halftime will be the Lobos’ annual teddy bear toss, so fans are encouraged to bring a new stuffed animal to toss onto the court at halftime. The stuffed animals will be donated to the Albuquerque PD and Fire and Rescue to help underprivileged children in the community.
Sunday’s game is also part of the annual Coaches vs. Cancer week, as the UNM staff will be wearing pins and sneakers on the bench to support the cause. Since the American Cancer Society’s Coaches vs. Cancer program began 30 years ago, college and high school coaches have raised more than $155 million to continue the mission of ending cancer as we know it, for everyone. You can join the team and learn more at Coachesvscancer.org or follow @CoachesvsCancer on social media.
Tickets for the game are on sale now at GoLobos.com/tickets. Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. (90 minutes prior to tipoff for all UNM men’s basketball home games this season). Fans are encouraged to arrive early to avoid lines while going through the security procedures upon entry to The Pit, and due to construction that has caused increased travel times in the area. With new traffic flow patterns in place, fans are encouraged to click here for a map detailing the best route to take for an efficient arrival to their designated parking lot.
The Lobos are 17-3 this season, 5-2 in the Mountain West, having won four straight conference games by double digits, their longest such streak since 2011-12. New Mexico is coming off a 95-75 win at San Jose State on Wednesday night, as Jaelen House led five Lobos in double figures with 18 points. JT Toppin had 14 points and 10 rebounds against the Spartans for his seventh double-double to tie the UNM freshman record.
Nevada is 16-4 overall, 3-3 in the Mountain West, and is looking for its second straight ranked victory. The Wolf Pack upset No. 24 Colorado State on Wednesday night in Reno to snap a three-game losing streak. Jarod Lucas and Kenan Blackshear lead Nevada in scoring at 17.6 and 16.2 points, respectively.
Nevada has won the last nine meetings in the series, including a sweep last season when the Wolf Pack won in double overtime in Reno and on a Blackshear buzzer-beater at The Pit. Nevada is the only Mountain West team that the Lobos haven’t defeated in the Richard Pitino era.
The Lobos will conclude the two-game homestand on Wednesday night when they host Boise State. Game time is 8:30 p.m. and the game will air on FS1. Tickets are on sale now at GoLobos.com/tickets.