Sports

Sports

Football: Davie suspended, Cosgrove will serve as acting head coach

Robert Maler | February 18

The University of New Mexico Board of Regents voted against hearing head football coach Bob Davie's appeal — and it was announced Thursday that his suspension would soon begin. Interim President Chaouki Abdallah announced that Davie’s suspension would officially start Saturday, Feb. 17 and continue through March 18, without pay. News of the suspension might have been a surprise to some — perhaps even Davie. The head coach seemed to think his suspension would not interfere with spring practice, which began last Friday.

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Sports

Men's Basketball: Lobos overcome slow start to pull away from Utah State

Robert Maler | February 18

The University of New Mexico men's basketball team fell behind early, but got a big lift to close out the first half and eventually defeat Utah State going away on Wednesday night. New Mexico (13-14, 8-6 MW) dispatched of the Utah State Aggies by a score of 78-63, which gave the Lobos the inside track, placing them in a four-way tie for fourth place, in the Mountain West conference standings. Antino Jackson opened the scoring with a 3-pointer en route to the Lobos scoring the first five points of the game. But the Aggies responded with an 8-0 spurt and the game of runs was on.

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Sports

Baseball: Pitching carries Lobos to victory over Cal Poly

Matthew Narvaiz | February 17

It took an extra inning to do it, but a two-run single from junior outfielder Jeff Deimling, as well as a solid outing from sophomore reliever Nathaniel Garley, willed the University of New Mexico baseball team to its first win of the season over Cal Poly, 3-1, on Saturday in Surprise, Arizona. Senior outfielder Danny Collier led the 10th inning with a single, before a sac-bunt led to the Lobos’ first out. But junior outfielder Jared Mang laid down a bunt, which Cal Poly threw away, to put runners in scoring position. From there, Deimling connected on a pitch for a two-run single, ultimately giving his team the win. Deimling also scored the Lobos’ (1-1) lone run before winning the game, when he scored a runner on a fielder’s choice in the sixth inning.

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Sports

Baseball: Lobos fall to No. 2 Oregon State in season opener

Matthew Narvaiz | February 16

A strong fourth inning propelled No. 2 Oregon State to a 5-2 win over the University of New Mexico baseball team on Friday afternoon in Surprise, Arizona. The game was the Lobos’ season opener. But a combination of strong pitching and the Beavers’ high octane proved too much for the Lobos (0-1), as they were held to just four hits and were struck out seven times. The Beavers (1-0), on the other hand, recorded 10 hits, including two home runs and three doubles. Senior outfielder Danny Collier led off for the Lobos at the top of the first inning, though he swung at the first pitch and hit a flyout. Shortly after, junior shortstop Hayden Schilling was hit on the shoulder by a slider. But Oregon State senior pitcher Luke Heimlich found his groove after that mishap, and struck out junior outfielder Jared Mang while the catcher threw out Schilling trying to steal second.

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Sports

Women’s Basketball: Lobos cruise to easy victory at Utah State

Matthew Narvaiz | February 15

No Alex Lapeyrolerie, no problem. The senior guard and 3-point sharpshooter missed her first game after tearing her ACL in her left leg, as first reported by the Albuquerque Journal’s Ken Sickenger, though the loss of her didn’t matter much when they played Utah State on the road on Wednesday evening. The Lobos did, however, take home a 74-50 victory, driving in cruise control the majority of the game behind a stellar defensive effort and a steady stream of scoring.

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Sports

Men's Basketball: Lobos finally at full strength and ready to host Utah State

Robert Maler | February 14

The University of New Mexico men's basketball team should be at full strength for the first time in what might feel like an eternity to some. Between injuries, suspensions and dealing with personal issues — the Lobos have grown accustomed to playing with a short roster.

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Sports

Men's Tennis: Lobos' unbeaten run halted by weekend split

Matthieu Cartron | February 13

The University of New Mexico men's tennis team beat the University of the Pacific 4-1 in Stockton, California on Friday, but then saw their four-match unbeaten run come to an end in a 6-1 loss to Santa Clara University on Sunday. For UNM, the match against the University of the Pacific was the first of several matches to be played against California opposition this season.

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Sports

Baseball: Lobos tabbed as preseason favorite to win the Mountain West

Matthew Narvaiz | February 13

Another season, another prediction to win the Mountain West conference. The University of New Mexico baseball team picked up three of the seven votes from coaches across the conference, and racked up 31 points overall, to be the favorite to win the 2018 Mountain West title, according to a release from the conference on Tuesday. Of the seven votes, coaches are not allowed to choose their own teams. Instead, they must cast a vote for one of the other six schools.

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Sports

Football: Davie files to appeal 30-day suspension

Robert Maler | February 12

The University of New Mexico announced last week that it would be suspending its head football coach, Bob Davie, for a period of 30 days — but Davie has quickly countered by filing an appeal. University of New Mexico Interim President Chaouki Abdallah released a statement on Thursday, detailing the finding and recommendations of some recent investigations — as well as news of the suspension and additional measures that were outlined. The following day, Davie released a statement saying he was appealing the decision. As the head coach pointed out, there was no specific reason given for his suspension. “None of these three investigations determined that I had violated any University policy,” he said in the statement. “I have appealed the suspension imposed by Interim President Abdallah to the Board of Regents.”

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Sports

Men's Basketball: UNM fades in second half, fall to Air Force on the road

Robert Maler | February 11

Winning on the road continued to present challenges for the University of New Mexico men's basketball team, as the Lobos were unable to close things out in Colorado against the Air Force Academy on Saturday. New Mexico (12-14, 6-5 MW) was without the services of senior Joe Furstinger, whose inside presence was probably something the Lobos could have used — especially in the second half. Furstinger was serving a one-game suspension by the Mountain West for an unsportsmanlike act as time expired in a 73-71 loss to Boise State on Tuesday. The senior seemed to take ownership of the mistake, issuing an apology via Twitter to the Lobos and the opposing team — and specifically the player, Marcus Dickinson, he shoved at the end of the game.

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Sports

Baseball: Season preview, ‘Blue Collar’ Lobos await season ahead

Matthew Narvaiz | February 11

Blue-collar. That’s how senior Danny Collier described this new-look team, which features 17 freshmen as well as a few new transfers, marking a much different team than a season ago. “It’s always blue-collar,” Collier said. “We come out to the yard everyday, work hard, and that’s all you can do. What happens on the field happens on the field. But the work, the preparation that you bring to the table each day, that’s what’s gonna get you there.” It’s fitting, since the Lobos have lost the likes of Luis Gonzalez, Carl Stajduhar, Andre Vigil and Jack Zoellner —all who played integral roles at the plate and in their respective positions. And making up for those losses, means working harder as a collective unit. Still, UNM poses a plethora of power on the offensive end. Junior Jared Mang, who led the Lobos a season ago in batting average at .373, is back this season, while Collier (.328) and junior infielder Hayden Schilling (.317) are also notable returnees whose bats played an integral role.

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Sports

Basketball: Legislators hit the paint to bring relief for cancer patients

Sherri Barth | February 11

Last Monday night, the Rio Grande Rivalry was put on the back burner as the Lobos and Aggies joined up with New Mexico Senate and House legislators to generate funds for cancer. The 2018 Hoops for Hope event saw Democrats and Republicans alike, play and support each other as the participants helped raise money for the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center's patient assistance program. But it wasn't just political rivals who put their differences aside — there were also two opposing college football coaches who played a hand in the action by leading the legislators turned basketball players for one night at the Santa Fe Indian School.

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Sports

Women’s Basketball: Lapeyrolerie leaves game, Lobos still win

Matthew Narvaiz | February 10

Putting the ball in the hoop, for most of the game, was a problem for the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team. But a strong fourth quarter effort, and a key 4-point play from senior guard Laneah Bryan, willed the Lobos to a tough victory over Air Force, 57-49, at the Pit on Saturday afternoon. Bryan, who played 26 minutes off of the bench, sunk a 3-pointer while also getting fouled. She drained it, as well as the free throw after, to put the Lobos (19-7, 7-6 Mountain West) up 50-48 with 5:25 left in the game—a lead they wouldn’t relinquish either. The Lobos shot just 32.1 percent from the field, while also only making two 3s, both of which came by way of Bryan. But it wasn’t just the Lobos’ missing shots as much as it was Air Force (2-21, 2-10) locking down on defense.

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Sports

Men’s Tennis: Lobos look to extend unbeaten run in California

Matthieu Cartron | February 9

After losing two of their first three matches of the season, it appears the University of New Mexico has shed its early season woes. In last weekend’s set of three matches, the Lobos beat Nebraska Omaha 5-2, Michigan State 4-0, and Drake University 4-3 to rack up three consecutive wins, and now they will try and extend their three-match unbeaten run to five matches out in California. The Lobos (4-2) will first face the University of the Pacific (1-5) in Stockton, California, and then will head south to take on Santa Clara University (4-2) in Santa Clara, California. Last year, the Lobos appeared to a have a “California curse,” as they were unable to beat a single team from California. The Lobos played Cal Poly, UC Santa Barbara, UCLA, the University of San Francisco, UC Irvine, Fresno State twice, San Diego State twice—and lost in each encounter. Those nine losses accounted for just about 70% of UNM’s losses that season.

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Sports

Football: UNM announces 30-day suspension of head coach Bob Davie

Robert Maler | February 9

Recent investigations into the University of New Mexico football program and UNM Athletics could not definitively substantiate key allegations of wrongdoing, but the University is still taking action to address concerns in its findings. The University of New Mexico announced Thursday that it will be suspending head football coach Bob Davie for a period of 30 days without pay. In addition to the suspension, it was announced that the Athletics Department would be required to receive mandatory Title IX and sensitivity training as some of the recommendations being implemented by an investigation.

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Sports

Softball: Season preview, Lobos open with Kajikawa Classic

Cameron Goeldner | February 9

The University of New Mexico softball team opens the season Friday morning at 9:15 a.m. against No. 15/16 University of Utah and at 11:45 a.m. against Saint Mary’s College of California in the first two games of Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Arizona. The Classic will feature 28 teams with the Lobos playing a total of five games over three days. On Saturday, the Lobos will face off against Oklahoma State at 7:30 p.m.. Challenging games against No. 3 Oregon and No. 7 Arizona at 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday will wrap up the weekend. Friday marks new coach Paula Congleton’s first game in charge of her alma mater after taking over for Erika Beach last June. Congleton came to UNM from Santa Barbara Community College, where she went 354-322 in 19 years. She was a three time All-American at first base during her playing career at New Mexico.

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Sports

Men's Soccer: Lobos add 12 on signing day

Cameron Goeldner | February 8

The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team announced the signing of 12 new recruits for the 2018 recruiting class, including five players from New Mexico. With this class, the Lobos add three players with US youth national team experience. "I want to thank Coach Graczyk and Coach Altman for their tireless efforts in bringing in an incredible class, all the credit goes to them," head coach Jeremy Fishbein said. "These players share the values of our program and are all great students from wonderful families. They will mature into impactful leaders in their communities. In sharing the values of our program: academic, community and athletic excellence, these players represent what our state, university and athletic department stand for." The class is headlined by midfielder Erik “Gallo” Virgen, defender Glademir “Pichu” Mendoza and goalie Alex Fetterly as all three have represented the United States at the youth level.

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Sports

Football: National Letter of Intent signing day additions

Cameron Goeldner | February 8

Filling in the pieces of the puzzle. According to New Mexico head football coach Bob Davie, that was the focus for him and his staff during the 2018 recruiting class. The University of New Mexico football program announced the signings of 22 new players on Wednesday as part of National Signing Day, the first day when athletes are able to sign letters of intent, binding them to the school that they previously committed to. Because of the new early signing period, 12 members of this year’s recruiting class signed their letters of intent in December.

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Sports

Women’s Basketball: Lobos fall at Boise State

Matthew Narvaiz | February 8

The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team could have taken one step closer toward making it back to the top of the Mountain West by trying to take down Boise State on Wednesday in hopes of extending its winning streak to three games. But despite having three players — senior guards Cherise Beynon and Tesha Buck and junior post Jaisa Nunn score over 20 points each against the Broncos — the win didn’t come as hoped. Instead, the two teams duked it out and BSU got the end result they wanted—a 91-85 victory at Taco Bell Arena.

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Sports

Men's Basketball: Joe Furstinger suspended for one game by MW

Cameron Goeldner | February 8

Joe Furstinger of the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team has been suspended for one game by the Mountain West conference for his actions at the end of Tuesday night’s matchup against Boise State. He will miss Saturday’s game at the Air Force Academy. “The student-athletes and support personnel from both institutions have been admonished with regard to their leaving the bench area to participate in the altercation,” the Mountain West said in a press release. “This action could have resulted in a much more serious incident. The game officials correctly determined that time had expired and were thus unable to employ applicable NCAA playing rules.