New Mexico Upsets No. 22 UCLA in Las Vegas Hoopfest

Victory Overview

Donovan Dent led New Mexico with an impressive performance, scoring 17 points and dishing out eight assists. Additionally, Nelly Junior Joseph contributed 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, marking his 45th career double-double, as the Lobos defeated No. 22 UCLA 72-64 in the Las Vegas Hoopfest on Friday evening. This victory marks a significant milestone for New Mexico, as it represents their first win against a ranked opponent in nonconference play since the 2012-13 season when they triumphed over Cincinnati, coached by current UCLA’s Mick Cronin.

Supporting Players

CJ Noland also made a notable contribution, adding 13 points for the Lobos, who are now 2-0 this season. Junior Joseph previously showcased his skills in New Mexico’s season opener against Nicholls, where he was one of three players to record a double-double. For UCLA, Tyler Bilodeau, a recent transfer from Oregon State, had a standout game with 23 points and 15 rebounds, coming off an initial season victory against Rider where they won 85-50.

Defensive Highlights

In a pivotal moment during the match, New Mexico’s defense played a key role by limiting the Bruins to just one field goal on nine attempts in the first seven minutes of the second half. This strong defensive effort helped the Lobos extend their lead from 11 points at halftime to 49-33. New Mexico’s aggressive play culminated in their 11th steal, leading to a swift fast-break dunk by Tru Washington, which widened their advantage to 58-43. The Lobos maintained at least an eight-point lead for the remainder of the contest.

Defining Moments

A notable moment occurred when Dent slipped on the court with 7:52 left in the game while making an inbounds pass, as New Mexico led 62-48. He momentarily left for the locker room, allowing UCLA to adopt a pressure defense with their star point guard sidelined. However, Dent made a quick return at the 5:39 mark, sporting a wrap on his left leg. He immediately scored on his first attempt, reinvigorating New Mexico’s lead at 68-57.

Statistical Insights

New Mexico effectively translated its strong defensive plays into points, scoring 21 times off UCLA’s 21 turnovers, underlining their defensive prowess throughout the game.

Looking Ahead

UCLA will head back to their home court to take on Boston University on Monday, while New Mexico prepares to host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Tuesday. The Lobos look to build on this momentum as they aim for continued success in the upcoming matches.