In a thrilling showdown at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, the sixth-seeded New Mexico Lobos secured the Mountain West Conference championship title and punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament with a hard-fought 68-61 victory over the No. 5 seed San Diego State Aztecs.

Led by standout performances from Jaelen House and Jamal Mashburn Jr., who contributed 28 and 21 points respectively, the Lobos overcame the odds and made history as the first team in the conference to win three games en route to the final. Throughout the tournament, New Mexico demonstrated their dominance by winning all three games by double digits and trailing for only 42 seconds in total, a testament to their resilience and skill.

The Lobos established their dominance early in the championship game, leading by as many as 14 points in the first half. Despite a late push from San Diego State's Jaedon Ledee, who scored a crucial three-point play and contributed five points to close out the half, New Mexico maintained a 36-30 lead at halftime.

The second half saw a back-and-forth battle between the two teams. Reese Waters' impressive plays, including a three-point play and a 3-pointer, propelled the Aztecs to temporarily take the lead at 44-43 with 12:12 remaining. However, New Mexico quickly responded, with Ledee making four consecutive free throws to put the Lobos back on top at 54-51 with eight minutes left.

With the game hanging in the balance, San Diego State briefly regained a 59-57 lead following Ledee's foul shots. Nevertheless, the Lobos displayed their determination and resilience in the final moments. House tied the game with two crucial free throws, followed by Toppin's rebound basket to regain the lead. A layup from Toppin and a three-point play from House in an 8-0 run effectively sealed the victory for New Mexico, who commanded a 67-59 advantage with just 36 seconds remaining.

House led the Lobos' offensive charge with an impressive scoring display, making 10 of 22 shots, including three 3-pointers. In addition to his scoring prowess, House also contributed five rebounds and three steals in an all-around performance. Mashburn Jr. showcased his shooting skills, hitting six of 16 shots, including three 3-pointers. Toppin put up a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, further solidifying New Mexico's victory.

On the opposing side, Ledee shined for the Aztecs, contributing an impressive 25 points and sinking all 11 of his free-throw attempts. However, his teammates struggled to find their rhythm, making just 13 of 44 shots throughout the game.

This championship win marks a significant milestone for New Mexico, as it is their first Mountain West Conference title since their last appearance in the NCAA Tournament back in 2014. The Lobos' victory secures their 16th overall appearance in the prestigious tournament.

San Diego State, last season's national runners-up, displayed their resilience by upsetting top-seeded and 18th-ranked Utah State to reach the conference final. Despite falling short in their quest for the title, the Aztecs showcased their tenacity and will be remembered as formidable contenders.

New Mexico's unforgettable journey to the Mountain West Conference title and their automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament is a testament to their skill, determination, and team chemistry. As they prepare to represent the conference on the national stage, Lobos fans eagerly await their team's performance in the upcoming tournament.