UNM Lobos Women's Basketball: What Really Happened at The Pit This Year

Basketball in Albuquerque is a different kind of animal. If you’ve ever walked into The Pit on a Tuesday night when the wind is howling across University Boulevard, you know the vibe. It’s loud. It’s steep. It feels like the fans are literally breathing down the necks of the opposing guards.

Honestly, the UNM Lobos women's basketball team has always carried a specific weight in this city. They aren't just a "women's team" tucked away in a corner; they are often the biggest show in town. But 2026 has been a weird, gritty, and surprisingly promising ride so far.

Right now, the Lobos are sitting at a 12-5 overall record. In the Mountain West, they’re 4-2, which puts them in a dogfight for the top four. You've got San Diego State and UNLV playing like they're on another planet, both undefeated in conference play, but New Mexico is right there in the rearview mirror.

The Mike Bradbury Era: Speed, Threes, and Chaos

Mike Bradbury has been at the helm since 2016. If you follow his style, you know he wants to go fast. He wants his players to shoot before the defense even realizes they've crossed half-court. This season, that "run and gun" mentality is hitting its stride, but with a defensive twist that actually has some teeth.

The team is averaging about 72 points a game. That’s solid. What’s more interesting is how they’re doing it. They aren't just relying on one superstar. It's a collective effort, though Destinee Hooks has been the engine lately. She’s averaging nearly 14 points and plays with the kind of "New Mexico tough" attitude that fans at The Pit live for.

Basically, the roster is a mix of veteran stability and some very loud freshmen. You’ve got seniors like Alyssa Hargrove and Clarissa Craig providing the "don't panic" energy when things get tight in the fourth quarter. Then you have the kids. Laila Abdurraqib, a freshman from Indiana, has been a revelation. She’s only 5-6, but she plays like she’s 6-foot. She handles the ball with this weirdly calm composure that usually takes three years to develop.

That Recent Nevada Heartbreak

Let’s talk about the game a few days ago. January 10th. Nevada came into The Pit and walked away with a 70-61 win. It stung. It really did. The Lobos led for chunks of that game, but the second half was a mess of turnovers and missed assignments.

You could feel the frustration in the arena. New Mexico is a place where a 9-point loss at home feels like a personal insult to the state. The Lobos had just come off a huge road win against Colorado State (66-59), and everyone expected them to steamroll Nevada. Basketball is funny like that. You can beat a top-tier team on the road and then lay an egg in your own gym.

Why the Defense is Different This Year

Historically, Bradbury teams score a ton but sometimes forget to guard the perimeter. This 2025-26 squad feels a bit more balanced. Their defensive rating is actually in the top 75 nationally. That’s a massive jump.

They are forcing about 18 turnovers a game. It’s chaotic. It’s sort of like a swarm of bees—they don't necessarily have a 6-foot-8 rim protector, but they have five players who will dive on a loose ball like it’s the last piece of food on earth.

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• Destinee Hooks: The scoring leader (13.8 PPG).
• Cacia Antonio: Does the dirty work, 11.8 points and 5.2 rebounds.
• Emma Najjuma: The 6-4 presence in the middle they desperately need.
• Nayli Padilla: A sophomore who has a jumper that is pure silk when she’s hot.

The Weight of History

You can't talk about UNM Lobos women's basketball without mentioning Don Flanagan. The guy was a legend. Between 1995 and 2011, he took this program to eight NCAA tournaments. That’s the shadow Bradbury is constantly coaching in.

There was a time in the early 2000s when New Mexico was a Sweet Sixteen regular. We’re talking about players like Jordan Adams and Mandi Moore. The Pit would sell out—not "college basketball sell out," but 16,000-people-screaming-their-lungs-out sell out.

We aren't quite back to those 16,000-person crowds every night, but the attendance is still among the best in the country. The Lobos are averaging over 4,300 fans per game this season. To put that in perspective, that’s more than some Power 5 schools get for their men’s programs. New Mexico just loves basketball. Period.

What the Road Ahead Looks Like

The schedule doesn't get easier. They have a massive road trip coming up, including a date with San Diego State that will basically decide if they can stay in the hunt for a regular-season title.

The Mountain West is weirdly deep this year. Boise State is tough. Colorado State is always a tactical nightmare. And UNLV? They’re the gold standard right now. For the Lobos to jump into that top tier, they have to fix the free-throw shooting. They’re shooting about 65% from the line. That’s… not great. In March, that’s how you lose a game you should’ve won by ten.

Real Talk: Can They Make the Big Dance?

The path to the NCAA Tournament usually goes through the Mountain West Tournament in Las Vegas. Unless the Lobos win out and grab an at-large bid (which is tough in this conference), they’ll need to win three games in three days in March.

Do they have the talent? Yeah.
Do they have the depth? Sorta.

The concern is the post play. When they go up against teams with massive centers, they struggle. Clarissa Craig and Emma Najjuma have to stay out of foul trouble. If they're on the bench, the Lobos have to play small ball, which is fun to watch but exhausting for the players.

Actionable Ways to Support and Follow

If you’re a fan or just getting into the sport, here is how you actually keep up with this team without getting lost in the noise:

• Show up to The Pit: If you are in Albuquerque, go. Tickets are cheap, the energy is better than most NBA games, and the "Howl" is real.
• Watch the Mountain West Network: Most games are streamed there for free. It’s high-quality and way better than trying to find a sketchy link.
• Track the Net Rankings: If you want to know if they’ll make the NCAA tournament, stop looking at the record and start looking at their NET. It’s what the committee uses.
• Focus on the "Freshman Four": Watch Laila Abdurraqib and Kaia Foster. These two are the future of the program. How they handle the pressure in February will tell you everything you need to know about next year.

The UNM Lobos women's basketball program is in a fascinating spot. They aren't the powerhouse they were in 2003, but they’ve stopped being the "almost" team. They are dangerous. They are fast. And on any given night, they can make life miserable for anyone who steps into the high altitude of Albuquerque.