New Mexico
Mountain West men’s basketball update: New Mexico closing in on conference title
The New Mexico men’s basketball team took a big step toward securing the Mountain West Conference title Sunday afternoon against Utah State.
Trailing by six points at halftime and 10 early in the second half, the Lobos rallied for an 82-79 win at The Pit to sweep the season series. New Mexico also defeated the Aggies earlier this month in Logan, 82-63.
With five regular-season games remaining, New Mexico (22-4, 14-1) holds a two-game lead on Utah State (22-4, 12-3) in the MWC standings. Colorado State (16-9, 10-4), San Diego State (17-6, 10-4) and Boise State (17-8, 9-5) are next in line.
The Lobos haven’t won the MWC regular-season title since the 2012-13 season. Utah State is the reigning champion.
Tru Washington led the way Sunday with 25 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks. Washington buried a dagger 3-pointer that put New Mexico up 80-76 with 9.4 seconds remaining.
Donovan Dent, the MWC player of the year frontrunner, added 23 points, three assists, three blocks and two steals.
Mason Falslev paced the Aggies with 27 points, six rebounds and five steals. Ian Martinez finished with 23 points.
In the other marquee MWC matchup of the weekend, San Diego State turned up the defensive pressure Saturday night to rout visiting Boise State, 64-47.
The Aztecs, ranked seventh nationally in KenPom defensive rating, had 10 blocked shots and six steals while holding Boise State to 18 of 54 shooting (33.3 percent) with 14 turnovers. The 47 points were a season-low for the Broncos by 14 points.
“I’m just really happy with the performance,” Aztecs head coach Brian Dutcher said in his postgame press conference. “To hold a really good offensive team like Boise to 47, hats off to our defense.”
The Aztecs smothered Broncos point guard Alvaro Cardenas, holding the senior to eight points and three assists. Cardenas, who averages 11.9 points and 6.7 assists per game, did break the Boise State single-season assists record in the loss.
Back in early January, Cardenas had nine points and six assists in a 76-68 Aztecs victory.
“He only had three (assists) tonight, and that’s a byproduct of switching everything, trying to keep a body in front of him where he can’t get into the paint and create shots for his teammates,” Dutcher said. “And he’s a very good player.
“I told the team before the game started that (Patrick) Mahomes is as good a quarterback as there is in the NFL, but he got pressured and turned it over (three times) against the Eagles. I said ‘Cardenas is Mahomes. We have to press him, we have to pressure him, and we have to make life hard on him.’ And I think we did a pretty good job of it.”
Following the loss, Boise State dipped to No. 48 in the NCAA NET Rankings. The Broncos, who hold an 0-5 record against teams above them in the MWC standings, will likely need to win the MWC Tournament title to reach a fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament.
The victory elevated San Diego State to No. 50 in the NET. The Aztecs are on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble, for now.
In his latest NCAA Tournament projection, ESPN’s Joe Lunardi had New Mexico and Utah State listed as nine seeds. San Diego State was among the last four teams included in the field of 68.
The Aztecs are tied with Colorado State for third in the MWC. The Rams blasted Wyoming (11-15, 4-11) Saturday afternoon, 88-53.
Boise State, which hosts New Mexico at 8 p.m. Mountain time Wednesday, sits alone in fifth place. The Lobos will enter ExtraMile Arena on an eight-game winning streak.
The professional rodeo season continues to heat up as we head into the spring and summer runs. Rodeos across the country drew top athletes over the recent weekend, as they vie for positions at the 2026 National Finals Rodeo (NFR).
Every dollar counts, especially as we enter the last five months of the 2026 season.
Riverdale Rodeo – Riverdale, Calif.
Bareback rider Jacob Lees earned two California victories on the weekend, scoring 81.5 points on Four Star Rodeo’s Sweet Annie in Riverdale. His 83.5-point ride on Bridwell Pro Rodeos’ Socket claimed the win in Stonyford.
Reigning Circuit Champion, Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, topped the barrel racing by two-tenths of a second with her time of 17.04 sconds.
Stonyford Rodeo – Stonyford, Calif.
California cowboy Bailey Small put together a solid weekend in his circuit, winning Stonyford with an 82.5-point ride on Bridwell Pro Rodeos’ Classy Clark. He also finished second in Riverdale.
Barrel racer Kathy Petska continues to dominate the circuit, claiming yet another spring win with a 17.50-second run.
American Royal Rodeo – Kansas City, Mo.
There are now two “Popes” to watch out for in the bareback riding — three-time NFR Average Champion and World Champion, Jess Pope, and his brother, Ty. Ty made a huge ride in Kansas City, scoring 87 points on Smith Pro Rodeos’ Broadway Boots for the win.
In 2025, Kansas cowboy Weston Patterson made his first NFR appearance and has carried that momentum into his 2026 season. Scoring 88 points on Korkow Rodeos’ Joker Poker, he claimed the saddle bronc riding win.
Pioneer Days Rodeo – Clovis, N.M.
Tie-down roper Buck Tate earned the win by over two full seconds, taking home $1,404.
Reigning Breakaway Roping World Champion Taylor Munsell claimed the $2,054 victory with a time of 1.8 seconds.
Helotes Festival Association Rodeo – Helotes, Texas
In bareback riding, Taylor Broussard matched up with Andrews Rodeo’s Empty Promises for a score of 85.5 points to earn the win.
Seven-time NFR qualifier, Isaac Diaz, topped the leaderboard with a score of 89 points on Diamond G Rodeo’s To The Limit. He earned the win in saddle bronc riding and $1,855.
PPCLA PRCA Rodeo – Mineral Wells, Texas
Sissy Winn put together a solid weekend in her circuit, topping the barrel racing in Mineral Wells and finishing fourth in Helotes.
Hailing from Winnie, Texas, Ethan Winckler made the only qualified ride in bull riding, scoring 87.5 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Mr. Blue Sky and taking home a whopping $4,863.
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Early voting for the 2026 New Mexico Primary Election begins Tuesday, May 5.
Residents can vote at county clerks’ offices until May 16, at which point more early voting locations open.
The Primary Election is on June 2.
Key races in New Mexico Primary Election?
Several state races have a crowded primary field including Democrat candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, governor and the state Legislature. Local races in Doña Ana and Otero County for sheriff and the Board of County Commissioners.
Who can vote in New Mexico Primary Election?
New Mexico has semi-open primary elections, which means voters who are not registered with a qualified political party may participate in the election by selecting which major party’s ballot they want to vote on without changing their voter registration.
Voters who have not registered with a qualified party can participate by selecting a major party’s ballot and vote.
Registration status, voting locations and sample ballots can be viewed at the New Mexico Secretary of State website.
Where to vote in Doña Ana County
Early voting at the Doña Ana County Government Center, 845 N Motel Blvd., Las Cruces, will begin from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. Monday through Friday on May 5 until May 29, and from 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 30.
Alternate site early voting locations will begin at 11 a.m. on May 16 and run through May 30 from Tuesday through Saturday.
The alternate site locations in Doña Ana County are:• Anthony Library (750 Landers Road, Anthony)• HVPS Student Services (350 Main Street, Hatch)• Doña Ana County Community College (755 Prescott Anthony Drive, Chapparal)• Doña Ana County Community College (800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd., Las Cruces)• Doña Ana County Community College (3365 McNutt Road, Sunland Park)• Las Cruces City Hall (700 N. Main Street, Las Cruces)• Mesilla Town Hall (2231 Avenida de Mesilla, Mesilla)• Corbett Center Student Union (1600 International Mall, Las Cruces)
Same day registration will be available at the Doña Ana County Government Center during early voting and all absentee ballots may be returned to the County Clerk’s Office or any Election Day polling location no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Where to vote in Otero County
Early voting at the Otero County Clerk’s sub-office, 1101 New York Avenue, Room 101, will begin from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m., Monday through Friday on May 5 until May 29, and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 30.
Alternate site early voting locations will be staggered beginning on May 16 at 11 a.m. and run through May 30.
The alternate site locations in Otero County are:10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 16 through May 30Otero County Fairgrounds (401 Fairgrounds Road, Alamogordo)
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., May 27 through May 29Inn of The Mountain Gods (287 Carrizo Canyon Road, Mescalero)
8:00 am to 5:00 p.m., May 28 through May 30 Chaparral Far South Fire Station (827 Luna Street, Chaparral)
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