New Mexico Defeats SDSU 81-76 in Close Game

Lobos hit late 3-pointer to seal victory over Aztecs

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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San Diego State University suffered a 81-76 loss to the University of New Mexico Lobos in a close basketball game played on Saturday afternoon in Albuquerque. The game came down to the final minute, with the Lobos hitting a clutch 3-pointer in the closing seconds to secure the victory.

Why it matters

This was an important Mountain West Conference matchup between two of the top teams in the league. The loss is a setback for SDSU's NCAA Tournament hopes, while the win boosts New Mexico's standing in the conference race.

The details

The game was tightly contested throughout, with neither team able to pull away. SDSU led 74-74 with under a minute to play, but New Mexico's Jamal Mashburn Jr. hit a 3-pointer from the left wing with 43 seconds remaining to give the Lobos a late lead they would not relinquish.

  • The game was played on Saturday, March 2, 2026.
  • New Mexico hit the game-winning 3-pointer with 43 seconds left in the contest.

The players

Jamal Mashburn Jr.

A sophomore guard for the University of New Mexico Lobos who hit the game-winning 3-pointer in the final minute.

San Diego State University

The Aztecs men's basketball team, who suffered a close 81-76 loss to New Mexico.

University of New Mexico

The Lobos men's basketball team, who defeated SDSU 81-76 in a close Mountain West Conference matchup.

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What they’re saying

“It was a big shot, but it was everything I've worked on my entire career and basketball life.”

— Jamal Mashburn Jr. (wn.com)

The takeaway

This game highlighted the competitiveness of the Mountain West Conference, with two of the top teams in the league battling down to the wire. The late 3-pointer by Mashburn Jr. was the difference-maker, showcasing his clutch shooting ability in a high-pressure situation.