The New Mexico Lobos achieved a thrilling 82-81 victory against the Nevada Wolf Pack on Friday evening during their milestone 1,000th game at The Pit, adding to the venue's storied history. The game showcased not only the intense competition on the hardwood but also the electric atmosphere generated by passionate fans celebrating this historic occasion.
The Lobos began strong, putting the Pack—who had just come off three consecutive losses—into an early three-minute scoring drought. Despite New Mexico's aggressive defense and their superior shooting percentage, it was the Wolf Pack who found their rhythm as the first half progressed. Players Nick Davidson and Kobe Sanders came to life, helping Nevada claw back and even take the lead late in the half.
This comeback was especially remarkable considering New Mexico was able to maintain tight defensive pressure for much of the first half, which had put them on top initially. The Lobos, who shot 46% compared to Nevada's 52% at halftime, had to up their game significantly to stay competitive. Nevada ended up taking a slim lead, with Davidson leading the charge.
Transitioning to the second half, the Wolf Pack opened strong, applying even more pressure on the Lobos and hitting key shots. The game transitioned to one of back-and-forth scoring, with each team matching the other's energy as the contest progressed. Both squads displayed their tenacity, but it was the increased intensity of Nevada’s defense and overall effort during the second half which kept the game alive until the end.
With less than 30 seconds remaining and New Mexico trailing, the drama heightened. A turnover by the Lobos gave the Wolf Pack the chance to extend their narrow lead. But the Lobos, refusing to be deterred, scrambled back, forcing Nevada to err on their inbound pass which eventually led to heroics by New Mexico's Nelly Junior Joseph. He managed to seize the ball after Donovan Dent’s fall, and at the buzzer, hit the decisive 15-foot jumper, sending the home crowd at The Pit—a sold-out venue with 14,622 fans—into euphoria.
This last-second victory marked the first game-winning shot of Joseph’s career. "It’s something I’ll memory for the rest of my life because it was the first game-winner of my life," remarked Joseph after the game, according to KRQE. His performance, along with notable contributions from Mustapha Amzil and Donovan Dent who both scored 20 points, helped the Lobos secure their fourth consecutive win this season and lift their overall record to 12-3.
The game held additional significance as it was not just another installment of the Mountain West rivalry but also highlighted the historical importance of The Pit, home to many memorable moments over the decades. Fans echoed their excitement as history was made. "It’s really cool to be part of history. And I mean, this is just such an amazing arena," said Lobo fan Natalie Saiz, reflecting the joy and anticipation leading to the event.
With both teams now ramping up for the remainder of the season, the Lobos would take pride not only from this victory but from the legacy of their arena. Nevada is now set to regroup as they head to face Fresno State on January 11, seeking their first conference win, currently struggling at 8-6 overall and 0-3 to start conference play.
The rivalry continued on this competitive night, leaving opponents yearning for the next showdown as they seek to improve their standing. Just as Lobo fans celebrated this significant milestone, many look forward to how the Lobos will carry this momentum forward as they prepare for their next encounter against Wyoming.