ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— For the third time in the last four years, the Lobos close the Mountain West schedule with Fresno State on Tuesday at 7 p.m. However, of the three times, this will be the first time closing against the Bulldogs at home.
The Lobos enter the final game of the conference schedule 13-6 in the MW, 21-9 overall, while Fresno State is 8-11 in the MW, 14-16 overall. UNM is currently fifth in the conference standings with two teams above it (Boise State and UNLV) set to play on Wednesday.
Tuesday’s game features the top two teams in steals in the Mountain West with the Bulldogs leading with 298 steals (9.9 average) and UNM at 287 (9.6 average). In conference games, Fresno State leads at 8.7 steals per game (166 overall) and UNM second at 8.6 per game with 164 steals.
SERIES HISTORY
In Coach Mike Bradbury’s 10 seasons at UNM, the Lobos have closed with the Bulldogs three other times, with the Lobos winning all three games. UNM closed with Fresno State in the 2023-24 season, winning 72-58, in the 2022-23 season, winning 88-68 and the 2017-18 season winning 93-89 in overtime.
UNM is 20-17 all-time against Fresno State, 11-5 at home, and has won four of the last five in the series. Tuesday will be the only meeting against the Bulldogs.
FAST START
UNM is outscoring opponents 474-382 (+92) in the first quarter, 522-458 (+64) in the second quarter and 996-840 (+156) in the first 20 minutes.
In the conference opener, the Lobos scored the first 14 points against Boise State with six different Lobos contributing to the points, and against Wyoming, the Lobos scored the first 10 points of the game. Against UNLV, the Lobos built a 13-2 lead behind a 10-0 run with the Lobos making five of their first seven shots. Against Utah State, the Lobos used a 9-0 run to lead 9-2 and closed the first quarter on a 6-0 run to build a 12-point lead.
Further, UNM held Wyoming (5), Boise State (4), San José State (4), Nevada (9), UNLV (9), Utah State (7) and Air Force (8) to single digits in the first quarter and held San José State (8), Colorado State (2) and Wyoming (8) to single digits in the second quarter.
WIN THE QUARTER
The second quarter is UNM’s largest quarter for point production at 522 points, followed by the third quarter (509 points), with the first quarter the largest margin of +92.
UNM has outscored its opponent in the first quarter 17 times, the second quarter in 13 games this season, the third quarter 17 times and the fourth quarter 18 times.
The Lobos have also held their opponent below 10 points in a quarter in 15 games this season and six times have held their opponent below 20 points at the half: 19 points (Wyoming), 18 points (Utah State), 12 points (San José State), 15 points (New Mexico State), 17 points (Chicago State) and 18 points (UT Martin).
UNM is 15-2 when leading after the first quarter, 19-1 when leading at the half and 19-1 when leading after the third quarter.
OWN THE BOARDS
The Lobos lead the MW in offensive rebounds per game (13.4), rebounding margin (+5.9) and rebounding offense (39.8). UNM is 48th in the NCAA in rebound margin as well as 63rd in rebounds per game, 76th in offensive rebounds per game and 94th in defensive rebounds per game (26.4).
UNM has outrebounded its opponent in 20 games and is 19-1 when doing so (San Diego State was lone loss when outrebounding opponent).
In conference games, UNM leads in rebounding defense (32.9) and rebounding margin (+5.5).
As a team, UNM had a season-high 58 against San José State with the largest rebounding margin against UT Martin (+35). Of note, the 58 rebounds are the most in a game amongst MW teams this season. UNM is led by Jessie Joaquim at 200, followed by Emma Najjuma at 188.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
Fresno State has lost its last three games against UNLV, Grand Canyon and San Diego State, which snapped a four-game win streak. The Bulldogs are 4-6 in their last 10 games and are 4-10 on the road, 3-6 in conference road games.
Emilia Long leads the team with 13.4 points per game, one of three Bulldogs averaging double figures. Ashlyn Rean is averaging 12.7 points per game and Danae Powell is averaging 11.6 points per game.
Only Long and Powell have started all 30 games.
In conference games, FS is averaging 61.9 points per game, led by 13.7 from Powell and 13.6 from Long, while opponents are scoring 60.6 points per game.
Powell, Long and Jaisa Gamble have started all 19 conference games.
Gamble leads the conference in steals per game in conference games at 2.3 with Long third at 1.9 per game.