CLEVELAND — In an exciting match-up at the NCAA Tournament, Donovan Dent’s standout performance led No. 10 seed New Mexico to a 75-66 victory over seventh-seeded Marquette on Friday night, securing a spot in the second round for the Lobos. Dent, who was recognized as the Mountain West Player of the Year, played a pivotal role in bringing his team back after a sluggish start, scoring 21 points in total. His efforts helped New Mexico break their four-game NCAA Tournament losing streak, notching their first tournament win since 2012.
Richard Pitino, the coach of New Mexico, joined his father Rick Pitino in celebrating first-round victories. Rick currently helms No. 2 seed St. John’s, who is set to face Arkansas. This year marks the second occasion both Pitinos have participated in the tournament’s 68-team field, but it is the first time they have reached the second round together.
Initially, Dent found the first half challenging, scoring just six points. However, he quickly found his form in the latter half. His aggressive play during a critical 10-0 run was crucial in helping the Lobos seize control of the game. “At the end of the game, we locked in and made crucial stops. Our ball-handling was better, and our spacing allowed Donovan to thrive,” Richard Pitino said. “He got downhill, and he was outstanding.”
Nelly Junior Joseph also played a significant role by adding 19 points. A pivotal moment came when Joseph’s layup put New Mexico ahead 59-58 with just over six minutes remaining. The second half was a rollercoaster, marked by three ties and eight lead changes before New Mexico finally asserted dominance.
Marquette coach Shaka Smart acknowledged that New Mexico maintained their composure during decisive moments. “They won the poise battle today,” said Smart. “When we took the lead in the second half, it felt like we had momentum, but we just couldn’t capitalize on key moments.”
Marquette’s scoring was led by David Joplin, who notched 28 points and hit six shots from beyond the arc. Kam Jones contributed another 15 points for the Golden Eagles. Joplin’s performance was a resurgence after a previous tough outing in the Big East Tournament semifinal game.
Jones, who earned recognition as an AP All-America second-team selection, struggled early on but fought back, though the outcome was not in Marquette’s favor. After the game, Jones was emotional, expressing gratitude for his team despite the loss.
Reflecting on their journey, New Mexico knows their victory against Marquette marks the first time since 1999 they have progressed as the lower-seeded team. Conversely, Marquette, made it to the Sweet 16 last year, but this time their run was cut short early. The key was New Mexico’s clear dominance in the paint, outscoring Marquette 38-26 in this critical area. Coach Smart highlighted this as a determining factor, saying, “They made better decisions in the paint and as a result got to the foul line more.”
Looking ahead, the Lobos aim to reach the regional semifinal for the first time since 1974 when they return to the court on Sunday. The excitement continues as they prepare to face either second-seeded Michigan State or 15th seed Bryant in the South Region’s next round.