New Mexico women’s basketball needs one more win to stay perfect at home. The Lobos (5-1) host unbeaten Texas Tech (6-0) on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 1 p.m. in The Pit. This matchup is huge for UNM’s tournament aspirations.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- UNM’s record: 5-1 overall, 4-0 at home
- Texas Tech: Undefeated 6-0, first road game
- Broadcast time: 1 p.m. on Altitude Sports
- UNM win streak: Four straight wins by average of 26.3 points
- Head-to-head: TTU leads 18-4 all-time, UNM hasn’t won since 2017
The Matchup on Sunday
UNM’s defense has been lights out recently. The Lobos held their last two opponents to below 50 points—shooting just 14.3% and 16.7% from three. They’re also averaging 13.0 steals per game in this streak. That’s seriously impressive.
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But here’s the problem: Texas Tech doesn’t scare easily. The Lady Raiders score 80.0 points per game with three players in double figures. Snudda Collins and Jalynn Bristow both average 16.7 ppg, while Bailey Maupin chips in 16.3 ppg. They make 8.5 three-pointers per game at 36.7%.
Destinee Hooks is carrying UNM’s offense. She’s averaging 15.8 ppg on 44.3% shooting with 1.8 three-pointers per game. She’s scored in double figures in all six games this season.
Recent Form and Home Court
New Mexico is crushing teams at The Pit. They’re 4-0 at home and leading after halftime means basically a lock on victory. The Lobos are 5-0 when leading at the half. That’s the kind of stat that wins tournament games.
In their four-game streak, UNM leads all stats that matter. They’re outscoring opponents 81.0-54.7 with a +26.3 margin. They’re shooting 46.2% from the floor. They made 10 three-pointers in each of their last two games. Three Lobos are scoring double figures in this span.
Texas Tech’s only concern? This is their first road game. TTU is 6-0 but all those wins came at home or neutral sites. Road games in the Mountain West are tough, especially when the home team has momentum.
Statistical Comparison
| Statistic | New Mexico | Texas Tech |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 5-1 | 6-0 |
| Home Record | 4-0 | 0-0 (on road) |
| Points Per Game | 73.2 (season) | 80.0 |
| Field Goal % | 45.1% | 46.1% |
| 3-Pointers Per Game | 8.8 | 8.5 |
| Current Streak | Won 4 straight | Won all 6 |
| Assists Per Game | 15.0 | 14.7 |
What jumps out? UNM is more efficient from three and has a slight edge in assists. But Texas Tech is scoring nearly 7 more points per game. That’s the difference between close games and blowouts.
What Could Decide This Game
- Whether UNM’s home court dominance holds up against ranked competition
- Hooks vs. Collins/Bristow—which team’s scoring trio controls the scoreboard
- If Texas Tech’s road inexperience becomes a factor in The Pit’s hostile environment
- Three-point shooting from both teams (UNM makes 8.8, TTU 8.5 per game)
- Whether New Mexico can maintain defensive intensity for all 40 minutes
Can the Lobos Keep the Streak Alive?
This is the biggest test of UNM’s season so far. Texas Tech is unbeaten for a reason. The Lady Raiders have wins over SMU (91-60), Arkansas (80-68), and Mississippi State. That’s tournament-level competition.
New Mexico matches up well, though. They’re not a one-player team—the offense flows through multiple scorers. Their home crowd will create problems late in the game when opponents are fatigued. And they’ve proven they can lock down elite shooters.
Still, history works against the Lobos. UNM hasn’t beaten Texas Tech since 2017, losing the last matchup 75-68 in Lubbock. That was close, sure. But road losses stack up. This chance to flip the script at home? Don’t sleep on it.
The Bottom Line
UNM is riding momentum but faces their toughest opponent yet. Games don’t get much bigger than unbeaten road teams in neutral conferences. The Lobos have the pieces and the place to win. But Texas Tech hasn’t lost, and they won’t make this easy. Expect a tight battle in The Pit.
What’s Next After Sunday?
If New Mexico wins, they stay in serious tournament conversation. A loss doesn’t derail the season, but it frames everything going forward. Either way, this game tells us if the Lobos are a real contender or just an upper-tier mid-major team.
The conference tournament almost always rewards home court and momentum. Sunday’s game is a chance for UNM to send a loud message that they belong with Texas Tech’s level of competition.
Sources
- New Mexico Lobos Official Athletics – Game preview and team statistics
- ESPN – Team records and season performance data
- NCAA Official – Conference standings and historical records
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.