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Albuquerque, N.M. • Alex Kirk had 19 points and a career-high 14 rebounds and No. 25 New Mexico played without leading scorer Kendall Williams in a 72-45 rout over Fresno State on Saturday.
It's the third time Williams has been disciplined this season, but it's the first time he's had to sit an entire game. All three transgressions have been because he either has been late to games or meetings, said New Mexico coach Steve Alford.
Cameron Bairstow matched his career high with 16 points, including 15 in the first half. Kirk and Bairstow, who made his first six shots, combined for nine points in a 16-2 run that gave the Lobos their largest halftime lead of the season at 39-22.
Fresno State (6-9, 0-2, Mountain West) cut the lead to 23-20 with six straight points before the Lobos (15-2, 2-0) went on the game-changing run in which six different players contributed points.
Marvelle Harris was the only Bulldog in double digits with 11 points.
The Bulldogs led early at 5-4, but New Mexico responded with a 13-3 run, with Bairstow scoring 11 of those points.
Tony Snell added 16 points and a career-high three blocks for the Lobos. —