And then there were 2: Only a pair of unbeatens remain in college basketball

And then there were two.

With No. 2 UConn losing its first game of the season on Saturday, 83-73 at No. 22 Xavier, only two unbeatens remain in college basketball.

No. 1 Purdue (13-0, 2-0 Big Ten) will host Rutgers on Monday, while No. 22 New Mexico fended off Wyoming, 76-75, on Saturday afternoon.

The Lobos are now 14-0, 2-0 Mountain West after Jamal Mashburn, Jr. scored a game-high 20 points, including the go-ahead free throws in the final minute. Josiah Allick had his first double-double of the season, scoring 15 points to go with a career-high 15 rebounds. Jaelen House had 16 points, five assists, five steals and three blocks, while KJ Jenkins added 14 points off the bench.

13 points and 12 rebounds for Josiah Allick, who has his first double-double of the season! #GoLobos
Watch on @FS1 pic.twitter.com/jqwSDukNOh

— Lobo Basketball (@UNMLoboMBB) December 31, 2022

“We just had to stay the course,” New Mexico coach Richard Pitino said. “In the first half, I thought we were a little out of it. I think when you saw all their injuries, we needed to understand that they were still going to fight. We had to find a way. They all can’t be beautiful. Sometimes you need to go on the road and make one more play than them. Mash makes big free throws and Josiah gets a big rebound. I’m really proud of our guys to be sitting at 14-0.”

The Lobos next play Tuesday at Fresno State.

Purdue, meantime, will next play Monday against Rutgers.

“This is not a little kids league,” Purdue coach Matt Painter said of playing in the Big Ten. “We’re gonna find out real quick, but I’m excited about it. I think we have some great teams in our league. Obviously, we have great coaches and players. It’s gonna be a fun ride.”

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