(Updated: CORRECTS “rebounds” to “assists” in 3rd graph CORRECTS Charleston Southern rebounds in 3rd graph CORRECTS 3:52 to 3:54 in 4th graph CORRECTS time in 5th graph)
No. 21 New Mexico 109, Charleston Southern 93: Cameron Bairstow scored 21 of his career-high 29 points in the first half to help the host Lobos pull away from the Buccaneers.
Alex Kirk recorded 24 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks as New Mexico (2-0) won for the 23rd time in its last 24 games in The Pit. Kendall Williams added 20 points – including 13-for-14 from the free-throw line – and 10 assists for the Lobos, who were 17-for-28 from the field in the first half and 17-for-29 in the second.
Saah Nimley had 24 points and 12 assists for Charleston Southern (2-2), which was 15-for-34 from 3-point range and made 22-of-24 free throws while being outrebounded 38-22. Paul Gombwer and Sheldon Strickland scored 17 points apiece while Arlon Harper added 15, with Strickland 5-for-9 from 3-point range.
Charleston Southern hung tough early as New Mexico didn’t go ahead for good until Williams’ three-point play made it 24-21 with 9:56 left in the first half. The Lobos took their first double-digit lead on Cullen Neal’s basket 3:54 later before Bairstow scored seven points to help New Mexico take a 52-36 lead at intermission.
The Lobos continued their hot shooting in the second half by making nine of their first 12 from the field – including consecutive 3-pointers by Kirk, Cleveland Thomas and Hugh Greenwood. The stretch was capped by Greenwood’s layup which gave New Mexico an 82-51 lead with 12:49 left.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Neal finished with 11 points and seven assists while Thomas scored 10. … New Mexico improved to 123-8 at home as a ranked team. … The Lobos will meet Alabama-Birmingham on Thursday in the first round of the Charleston Classic and are the only ranked team in the tournament.
