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Supporting Research and Education: New Mexico Tech Unveils Raul Deju Institute for Artificial Intelligence

Grace Tackman
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Supporting Research and Education: New Mexico Tech Unveils Raul Deju Institute for Artificial Intelligence

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology takes another step toward global innovation with the launch of a new initiative.

New Mexico Tech recently announced the establishment of the Raul Deju Institute for Artificial Intelligence. The new initiative will serve as the university’s central hub for AI integration. It will spearhead the advancement of AI across the curriculum, faculty and staff research, and campus-wide operations.

The AI Institute supports research and education with AI infrastructure, cultivates talent pipelines, and ignites partnerships to solve real-word problems.

New Mexico Tech revealed that distinguished alumnus Dr. Raul Deju made the Institute’s launch possible through his visionary support. Deju’s contributions provided the foundation for the Institute’s immediate and long-term sustainability as a leader in AI education and application.

“New Mexico Tech is a special place that propelled me to a successful entrepreneurial career, and I believe it is uniquely positioned to lead in this new technological era,” said Deju. “By investing in the AI Institute, we are providing the tools for the next generation of ‘Techies’ to drive global innovation. It is my privilege to help launch this endeavor and ensure our students remain the most competitive and inspired problem-solvers in the world.”

Leadership Team of the AI Institute

A multidisciplinary leadership team guides the AI Institute, overseeing strategic activities and facilitating AI technology integration throughout the institution. The team includes:

  • Michael Smith, Director of the Institute for Complex Additive Systems Analysis (ICASA),
  • Dr. Jun Zheng, Professor and Chair of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering,
  • Dr. John Naliboff, Associate Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science.

“AI is a critical tool for analyzing complex systems,” said Smith. 

Smith said the Institute bridges the gap between theoretical AI and practical applications in national security and complex data analysis. It provides students with unparalleled hands-on experience.

For Zheng, the Institute offers students flexible opportunities to pursue degrees, minors, and certificates in AI, data science, and cybersecurity.

“We are excited to continue to expand our curricular offerings and prepare students for the workforce and fast-changing landscape of AI and other emerging fields, including quantum and cybersecurity,” Zheng said.

Additionally, Naliboff emphasized that the “combined AI-capabilities of the new Institute and HPC infrastructure will provide students hands-on opportunities to engage in areas of critical workforce and economic development, while aligning researchers across campus for emerging research frontiers and associated funding opportunities.” He oversees New Mexico Tech’s High Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure.

The leadership team reports to Dr. Lique Coolen, Vice President of Research and Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs. They ensure AI initiatives remain closely aligned with the university’s broader research and academic mission.  

The Institute will focus on building talent, boosting research, enhancing infrastructure, and securing partnerships.  

“The Raul Deju Institute for Artificial Intelligence represents a pivotal step in ensuring New Mexico Tech remains at the forefront of technological innovation,” said Coolen. 

Coolen said that integrating AI into the curriculum and research operations prepares students, staff, and faculty. It equips them to solve the complex challenges of the future.

Why The Initiative Matters

Dr. Srinivas Mukkamala stressed the strategic importance of this launch for the state, nation, and industry. He serves as a New Mexico Tech Regent and is a global authority on the intersection of cybersecurity and AI.

“Artificial Intelligence is no longer a peripheral technology; it is the cornerstone of our future global security and economic resilience,” said Dr. Mukkamala. “As an alumnus and Regent, I am thrilled to see New Mexico Tech take this bold step.” 

Mukkamala said that through the AI Institute, New Mexico Tech ensures its research remains at the cutting edge. He added that the Institute prepares graduates to lead with integrity and innovation in an AI-driven world.

Interim President Dr. Michael Jackson said the initiative marks a major collaborative milestone for faculty, research staff, administration, and alumni.

“Our comprehensive, robust strategy will embed AI into every facet of our mission, ensuring New Mexico Tech will be a leader in the AI revolution. I am excited to see our campus community advance this initiative—from educating the STEM workforce and tackling complex research challenges, to positively impacting the quality of life for all New Mexicans,” he said.

House Panel Advances Gun Control Bill After Marathon Hearing

Juan Oliveros
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House Panel Advances Gun Control Bill After Marathon Hearing

A House panel will send the gun control bill to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration after it narrowly approved the Democratic-backed measure on Wednesday.

The House Commerce and Economic Development Committee advanced Senate Bill 17 or the Stop Illegal Gun Act with a vote of 6–5.

Tightened sale or possession

SB 17 seeks to tighten regulations on firearm sales and classify certain weapons as dangerous to improve public safety. It would require licensed gun dealers to maintain inventory records and adopt additional security measures.

The measure would also restrict the sale or possession of gas-operated semiautomatic firearms, .50-caliber rifles, and magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds.

Efforts to weaken the bill failed during the deliberations. Lawmakers rejected a proposed amendment to remove provisions restricting certain firearms by a 5–6 vote. Another motion to table the bill also failed.

SB 17 now heads to the House Judiciary Committee. If cleared, the bill will move to the House plenary.

Gun control bill unconstitutional, ineffective

Republican lawmakers sharply criticized the bill. They said the measure is unconstitutional and ineffective.

In a statement the House Republicans called the bill “an outright assault on the Second Amendment and on the freedoms of responsible New Mexicans.”

“Instead of addressing the violent crime crisis plaguing our communities, Democrats are choosing to punish law-abiding citizens and small business owners. That is not public safety. That is political theater,” according to the statement quoted by Albuquerque Journal.

Rep. Stefani Lord, R-Sandia Park, one of the bill’s opponents, called it reckless and ineffective.

Lord said SB 17 subjected law abiding citizens and licensed firearm dealers to unreasonable burden. The bill, she said, “places crushing regulatory, surveillance, and reporting burdens on law-abiding, federally licensed firearm dealers and New Mexicans who legally purchase firearms to protect themselves and their families.”

The lawmaker presented the petition signed by 85,000 individuals calling for the “assault weapon ban” to be shut down.

A step to curb gun violence

Democrat lawmakers, however, asserted the measure is a step toward curbing gun violence in the state.

SB 17 represents practical steps to curb gun violence, Rep. Andrea Romero, D-Sta Fe, said. It will allow the state to hold retailers accountable to enforce existing laws, the lawmaker added.

The bill, according to the Democrat lawmaker, would ban the sale powerful firearms used in mass shootings.

Dozens of people attended the hearing to deliver their testimonies, including gun store owners, law enforcement officers, teachers, medical professionals, veterans, and gun violence survivors.

New Mexico Fines Sunland Park Water Utility $189K Over Arsenic Violations, Eyes Court Oversight

Juan Oliveros
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New Mexico Fines Sunland Park Water Utility $189K Over Arsenic Violations, Eyes Court Oversight

STA FE, New Mexico – The water utility in Sunland Park has agreed to pay a $189,000 fine in a settlement with the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) over a string of water system violations. It will also face tougher oversight going forward.

State regulators had issued five Notices of Violation to Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA) between 2020 and 2024. These violations include exceeding federal limits for arsenic under the Safe Drinking Water Act, failure to notify customers of unsafe pH levels, and the utility’s inability to correct deficiencies flagged in repeated sanitary surveys.

Water utility lacks accountability

NMED slapped the water utility with fine for “bad faith” enhancement, which the state regulator said reflects CRRUA’s repeated lack of accountability throughout the enforcement process.

The fine will go into NMED-administered Water Conservation Fund (WCF), which supports water quality testing and operator training for public water systems statewide.

The Environment Department, said Bruce Baizel, director for Compliance and Enforcement Division, has worked to “hold CRRUA accountable for repeatedly failing its duty to deliver safe and reliable drinking water to the residents of Sunland Park.”

CRRUA has met water quality standards over the past 12 months. But it continues to face unresolved administrative and reporting violations that raised concerns about the long-term reliability of the system.

Corrective measures

“The settlement announced today is a significant first step.”

Baizel said NMED is pressing the court to appoint an independent manager to oversee CRRUA’s operations.

NMED also seeks additional corrective measures such as real-time arsenic monitoring, free distribution of arsenic test strips to customers, provision of alternative drinking water if arsenic levels exceed state limits, and the holding of monthly public meetings.

The water utility has been under heightened state scrutiny for years due to its failure to comply with regulations, particularly involving arsenic contamination.

CRRUA is the government-run water utility serving Sunland Park, a city at the border of Doña Ana County.

NMSU’s TRIO Student Support Services Tutoring Program Secures National Recertification, Valid Until 2029

Grace Tackman
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NMSU’s TRIO Student Support Services Tutoring Program Secures National Recertification, Valid Until 2029

New Mexico State University’s (NMSU) TRIO Student Support Services Tutoring Program earned recertification from the College Reading and Learning Association. 

The program secured CRLA International Tutor Training Program Certification for levels 1, 2 and 3. The certifications are official through December 2029, according to NMSU.

Trese Collins, coordinator of the TRIO Student Support Services Tutor Program, said the certification strengthens tutoring quality and impact. It ensures peer tutors are trained using nationally recognized standards.

“As a result, students receive consistent, high-quality academic support that encourages effective learning strategies, strengthens study skills and builds academic confidence,” said Collins.

TRIO SSS Peer Tutoring offers free academic support to all TRIO SSS participants. The program provides tutoring in person at Hardman Jacobs Undergraduate Learning Center, Room 128, and online through Zoom. 

“Students who take part in CRLA certified tutoring gain a stronger understanding of course material, build critical thinking skills and often see improvements in their academic performance,” Collins said. 

Collins said TRIO SSS tutors are trained to support diverse learning styles, promote independent learning, and encourage student persistence. She emphasized that these strategies are important elements of student success and retention. 

She said this structured support helps increase engagement, confidence, and steady progress toward academic and personal goals for participants.

“Our certified tutoring not only strengthens the program’s credibility and supports TRIO’s mission, but it also plays a meaningful role in helping students stay on track, succeed and reach graduation,” Collins said. “Altogether, CRLA certified tutoring fosters a welcoming, supportive environment where students and tutors thrive, while celebrating and reinforcing a culture of learning, growth and academic success.”

About the TRIO SSS Tutoring Program

TRIO SSS is a unique program at NMSU funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Education.It helps first generation students with financial needs and students with disabilities reach their full potential and achieve academic success.

The program provides opportunities for academic development and assists students with basic college requirements. It also motivates students to achieve successful completion of their post secondary education.

TRIO SSS aims to increase the participants’ college retention and graduation rates while helping students transition between higher education levels. 

The program offers:

  • Peer Mentoring
  • Peer Tutoring
  • Academic Support and Guidance
  • Advocacy and Personal Support
  • Assistance with Financial Aid
  • Graduate School Preparation
  • College Success Workshops
  • Equipment Loans (Calculators, iClickers, Digital Recorders, Translators)
  • Free Testing Supplies (Scantrons & Blue Books)
  • GRE Fee Reduction Waivers
  • Computer Lab & Study Areas

TRIO SSS serves 350 students who are first generation college students, low-income, and/or have a documented disability. Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, enrolled full-time, degree-seeking at NMSU-Main Campus, and demonstrate academic need.

New Mexico HM59 (2026): CYFD to Study Foster Parent Pay

Victoria Padilla
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New Mexico HM59 (2026): CYFD to Study Foster Parent Pay

New Mexico lawmakers have introduced House Memorial 59 (HM59) for the 2026 regular session. The measure asks the Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD) to examine what a fair payment for foster parents would be, including whether payments should increase as prices rise.

Some news stories and bill trackers mention “more students in financial literacy classes” for HM59. However, LegiScan’s records show this topic was linked to an HM59 from 2016, not the 2026 HM59.

Key facts

  • What it does: The memorial asks CYFD to examine what fair pay for foster parents should be, including whether the cost of living should be factored in.
  • Where it is now: The bill was sent to the House Health & Human Services Committee (HHHC) and later got a “Do Pass” recommendation, according to LegiScan’s records.
  • Deadline: CYFD must share its findings and recommendations with the Legislative Health and Human Services Committee by Nov. 30, 2026.
  • What it isn’t: A memorial does not create enforceable law or include an appropriation, according to the Legislature’s fiscal summary.

What the memorial says in its own words

The introduced text presents the request as a response to the important role foster families play and the costs they may face. The memorial begins by “REQUESTING THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT A STUDY TO DETERMINE FAIR COMPENSATION FOR FOSTER PARENTS.”

Why it matters financially

The measure is not a spending bill, but it raises a common budget question: Do current payments cover what foster families have to pay, and how could changes, such as higher living costs, affect CYFD planning if lawmakers later consider changing laws or the budget?

The naming confusion: HM59 does not refer to a single topic

LegiScan’s historical list shows that the same bill number (HM59) can refer to different memorials in different sessions. For example, a 2016 HM59 was titled “More Students In Financial Literacy Classes,” while the 2026 HM59 focuses on foster parent compensation.

Valentine’s Day Themed Farmer’s Market at Albuquerque Rail Yards

Olivia Woodard
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Valentine’s Day Themed Farmer’s Market at Albuquerque Rail Yards

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – This weekend, February 14 and 15, the Barelas Rail Yard’s Market and Bernalillo County Commission District 2 are holding their annual Valentine’s Day themed Farmer’s Market.

From 10a.m.-4p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, the Rail Yards on 1st Street will be filled with local vendors, live music, hearts, and festive atmosphere.

The Rail Yards’ regular Sunday Farmer’s Market is inactive in February due to the cold weather but usually occurs every weekend from May to October. During the months without the Sunday Farmer’s Market, holiday events such as this weekend’s Valentine’s Market give Albuquerque residents somewhere to go and support local businesses.

According to their website, Railyardsmarket.org, they are entirely non-profit. The community and organizers have been holding the Farmer’s Market, among other events, since 2014.  

The website gives readers a look into the background of the Rail Yard’s Market, and it also provides information about vendors participating in the Markets, as well as links to follow if a business wants to become a vendor.

In addition to their website, perhaps a more youth-accessible platform, Rail Yard’s Market Instagram profile posts about upcoming events and what to expect.

In anticipation for this weekend, the Instagram page has posted a list of activities and events, tagging accounts they are partnering with, and ramping up excitement.

They have shared that there will be a Kids Zone with crafts and coloring pages, Pet Adoptions with BernCo Animal Care Services, tours of the Rail Yards, and live music.

The Market Experience

UPDATED MONDAY, FEB. 16 – On Sunday, despite it being the day after Valentine’s, the Rail Yards were still bustling with people, vendors, food, and music.

Local vendors lining the walkway were brightly filling the space with handmade decor and baked goods. Other booths had clothing, stickers, and many festive trinkets for the holiday.

The main entrance had food trucks outside, including Bing Tea, a well-known boba-tea and dessert truck. There was a large display with life-size version of candy conversation hearts with couples and friends using available props to take photos.

The Rail Yards are a unique place to invite people to support local business and cultivate an experience you wouldn’t find anywhere else.

If you missed the Valentine’s Day Market, don’t worry! The Rail Yards Market hosts many events every year. Their social media and their website are always up to date with upcoming events to check out and support. And, as always, their Sunday Farmer’s Market will begin again in May and run through October, every week from 10a.m. to 2p.m.

UNM Launches Historic Partnership with China’s Zhejiang Conservatory of Music (ZJCM)

Grace Tackman
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UNM Launches Historic Partnership with China’s Zhejiang Conservatory of Music (ZJCM)

The University of New Mexico (UNM) College of Fine Arts and the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music (ZJCM) recently formalized a landmark international partnership. The collaboration connects UNM with one of China’s leading institutions for higher music education.

According to UNM News, the agreement marks a significant step in UNM’s commitment to global engagement, collaboration and international education.

UNM string faculty members Carmelo de los Santos and Christoph Wagner, traveled to China for the agreement signing. De los Santos is a professor of violin, while Wagner is an assistant professor of cello and head of strings.

They visited during UNM’s winter break and signed an official exchange and cooperation agreement on Dec. 29, 2025. The partnership established new pathways for student exchanges and study abroad opportunities for UNM music students. 

During their official engagement, ZJCM invited de los Santos and Wagner to participate in its prestigious New Year’s Concert. They also led masterclasses and engaged in educational activities with ZJCM students.

Their artistic involvement underscored the partnership’s collaborative spirit and showcased the international stature of UNM’s string faculty.

ZJCM is located in Hangzhou, one of China’s most vibrant cultural and technological centers. It features a state-of-the-art campus and a student body of more than 3,000 musicians. It also boasts a world-class faculty representing both Chinese and international traditions. 

The institution is widely recognized for its excellence in performance, pedagogy and artistic innovation.

Why UNM and ZJCM’s Partnership Matters

College of Fine Arts Dean Harris Smith highlighted the agreement’s significance and emphasized its impact on the broader UNM community.

“On behalf of the College of Fine Arts and the Department of Music, I am excited about this partnership and the meaningful cultural impact it will have for our faculty and students,” said Smith. “Experiences like these enrich the college experience, fostering artistic growth, global perspective and cross-cultural understanding through music.”

With this historic agreement, UNM Music continues to expand its global footprint and create transformative opportunities for students. It also strengthens international partnerships through artistic excellence.

New Mexico Officials Vow to Keep Health Insurance Affordable Despite Federal Cuts

Juan Oliveros
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New Mexico Officials Vow to Keep Health Insurance Affordable Despite Federal Cuts

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO — New Mexico officials vowed to keep health insurance affordable as enrollment in the state climbed by 17 percent. The figure defied a nationwide decline driven by higher premiums and coverage losses following federal subsidy cuts.

State officials said the growth, the highest increase in enrollment in the country, indicates the commitment of the government in protecting access to health care despite US Congress’s decision not to extend enhanced federal tax credits.

“Health insurance should protect people against medical debt, not cause it,” said Health Care Authority Cabinet Secretary Kari Armijo.

“The Health Care Affordability Fund is not only helping New Mexicans stay covered but is shielding working families from massive costs when they use care,” the cabinet secretary added. 

The Health Care Affordability Fund lowers premiums and out-of-pocket expenses for individuals who purchase insurance through BeWell NM, New Mexico’s health insurance marketplace. It offsets the loss of federal subsidies and helped protect consumers from rising costs of the national health care.

The expiration of enhanced subsidies has pushed insurance prices higher and contributed to more than 1 million people losing coverage across the United States. New Mexico, however, has taken a different path. The state utilized state resources so that residents are protected from the rising from being priced out of insurance.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said, “affordability is a top priority.”

“The results speak for themselves. People urgently need affordable health care.”

And the state has proved it can deliver even at a time when federal support falls short, Grisham in a statement said.

National data from Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) show many people are forced into high-deductible plans amid rising costs with an average deductible of $7,476. The high costs discouraged people from seeking care.

In New Mexico, however, the opposite is happening. Records showed enrollment in high-deductible Bronze plans fell from 3.4 percent to 3.1 percent. On the other hand, there is an increase of sign-ups for Turquoise Plans that offer the lowest out-of-pocket expenses in the state marketplace.

To keep health insurance affordable, House Majority Leader Reena Szczepanski introduced House Bill 4. The bill would increase revenue to fund the Health Care Affordability Fund.

“House Bill 4 is one of the most critical bills we will hear this session,” Szczepanski said.

The bill, according Szczepanski, ensures that families won’t “lose health coverage because of decisions made far outside our state.”

House Bill 4, the lawmaker said, has the support across the aisles “to keep care affordable, stabilize our health system, and put people first with this bill.” 

Blue Pony Energy to Build $1.6B Low-Carbon Fuels Plant in New Mexico

Juan Oliveros
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Blue Pony Energy to Build $1.6B Low-Carbon Fuels Plant in New Mexico

LOVINGTON, New Mexico — Blue Pony Energy, a Houston-based energy company, will build a $1.6-billion manufacturing facility in Lovington, New Mexico. The project is expected to create 90 jobs over the next 10 years and support about 221 direct and indirect positions.

The New Mexico Economic Development Department (EDD) projects more than $4.6 billion in statewide economic impact over 10 years.

State officials are pitching the project as part of a broader strategy to expand advanced energy industries. It also aligns with New Mexico’s climate and clean energy objectives.

“New Mexico is leading the nation as a place for advanced energy companies to build,” Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a press release.

New Mexico’s Clean Energy Transition

New Mexico has charted the path of net-zero emissions aimed at transforming its energy economy. Grisham’s 2019 executive order directed state agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 45 percent by 2030 compared with 2005 levels and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The state’s Climate Action Plan outlines these targets.

“The New Mexico Climate Action Plan is more than a set of goals — it is an actionable roadmap to a resilient, energy-independent, and prosperous future for every New Mexican,” said Environment Secretary James Kenney.

To transition towards these goals, New Mexico enacted the Energy Transition Act (ETA). The law establishes renewable energy standards for utilities, mandating at least 50 percent renewable electricity by 2030 while privately-owned utilities has to comply with a fully zero-carbon electric supply by 2045, and rural coops by 2050.

An analysis by Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), however, showed that New Mexico needs even more policy action to close the gap between current emissions and its climate goals. Economic and demographic trends have limited progress toward the 2030 target, EDF pointed out.

Blue Pony technology

Blue Pony’s Lovington project will employ technology that convert natural gas into synthetic fuels and specialty products with significantly lower carbon intensity. This aligns with state priorities to expand low-carbon solutions.

Advanced energy is a priority industry under the governor’s economic strategy and the EDD’s State Plan.

The Houston-based energy company cited the region’s business climate, infrastructure, and shared sustainability goals in choosing Lovington.

Blue Pony CEO Justin Rencurel said the project site is an ideal location for the company to “deploy advanced technologies.”

State Environment Secretary James Kenney said the investment aligns with both the emerging clean fuels industry and long-term environmental health.

Kenney said, Blue Pony is “a perfect fit as our state becomes a hotbed of the rapidly evolving clean fuels industry.”

Lawmakers also underscored the dual priorities of economic growth and climate action.

“New Mexico does not have to choose between our climate and our economy,” said Representative Nathan Small (D-Las Cruces). The state can lower its carbon footprints while pursuing economic growth and creating employment opportunities, he said.

Blue Pony is eligible for up to $2 million in state Local Economic Development Act (LEDA) funding. Pending final approval, the City of Lovington will also provide additional local LEDA support.

Officials expect the project to attract further investment, expand revenue, and strengthen the economy across southeast New Mexico.

Home streak ends for the Lobos 

Esmeralda Lozano
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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.

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