Preview: New Mexico Looks to Continue Momentum at Nevada

RENO, Nev. (Interstat) — A surging New Mexico women’s basketball team visits a struggling Nevada squad in a Mountain West Conference matchup Saturday at Lawlor Events Center.

The New Mexico Lobos (20-9) enter the contest having won three straight and seven of their last nine, most recently a 69-54 road victory at Utah State on Wednesday. Guard Joana Magalhães led the way in that win with 14 points in 26 minutes. She has been a consistent contributor, averaging 9.3 points over her last eight games, including a 17-point, 5-assist performance in a narrow win at Grand Canyon on Feb. 18.

The Nevada Wolf Pack (9-19), meanwhile, snapped a five-game losing streak with a 49-41 home win over San Jose State on Wednesday. Guard Britain Backus was pivotal in the victory, scoring a season-high 17 points. Her production has been variable, but she provides a key offensive spark for a team averaging just 58.8 points per game.

This meeting is a rematch from Jan. 10 in Albuquerque, where Nevada secured a 70-61 victory. The Wolf Pack will look to replicate that defensive effort against a more confident Lobos lineup.

New Mexico’s success has been built on defense, holding opponents to an average of 56.2 points during their current three-game win streak. Nevada has struggled offensively, failing to reach 65 points in 10 of their last 11 contests.

A key matchup will be on the perimeter between New Mexico’s Magalhães and Nevada’s Backus. The Lobos will also rely on forwards Nayli Padilla and Jessie Joaquim, who combined for 23 points in the midweek win.

For Nevada, containing New Mexico’s balanced attack and finding consistent scoring beyond Backus will be critical. Ahrray Young and Izzy Sullivan will need to provide support.

The game tips off at 2 p.m. PST Saturday. New Mexico closes its regular season at home against Fresno State on Tuesday, while Nevada travels to Utah State the same day.