The University of New Mexico Lobos men’s basketball team took on Utah State Aggies to ultimately break the tie they both placed in the Mountain West this season. Ultimately, they took a hard loss in the pit and broke their four-game winning streak. The Lobos lost 86-66.
On February 4, 2026, the Lobos battled for a hard-fought win inside The Pit. With tipoff set for a late 9 p.m. start, the energy in the arena stayed high. Both teams battled up and down the court. Defense dominated the night. Each side matched the other’s intensity possession by possession.
The Lobos struggled early, converting just five of their first 16 shot attempts. While both teams showed flashes of promise, they mirrored each other’s style of play. This resulted in back-to-back possessions where neither side could establish an offensive rhythm in the opening stages of the game.
“It felt like we had some opportunities around the basket in the first half that we didn’t capitalize on. All of those things just weren’t at the level we needed tonight,” Eric Olen, head men’s basketball coach for UNM said.
The second half proved rocky for the Lobos from the opening minutes, setting the tone not only for the players but for the crowd as well. It quickly became clear that the Lobos and Aggies would battle down to the wire. Though the Aggies eventually gained the upper hand. Utah Aggies capitalized on Lobo mistakes, scoring 19 points off Lobo turnovers.
The Lobos’ defense showed signs of life late in the second half, but the deficit proved too large to overcome. With the Aggies holding a commanding 64–44 lead at the midway point of the half, New Mexico managed only an 8–2 run to cut the margin to 14 with 7:25 remaining. That surge would be the Lobos’ final push. The game ultimately closed in an 86–66 loss.
Whether the Lobos will get a chance at redemption against the Aggies remains uncertain, as potential tournament matchups are still up in the air. However, with more basketball left to be played, many fans view this matchup as a learning opportunity. It could serve as valuable preparation should the two teams meet again.
