LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Kendall Williams tied a career high with 24 points, including nine during a first-half run that brought New Mexico back from a double-digit deficit, and the No. 16 Lobos beat rival New Mexico State for the second time in a week with a 68-63 win Wednesday night.
Tony Snell added 11 points for New Mexico (12-0), which matched the second-best start in school history.
The Aggies (5-6) went on a 16-4 run that included four 3-pointers to build a 25-14 lead, but then Williams took over, scoring seven straight points to key an 11-0 run that tied it at 25 with 4:35 left in the first half.
Daniel Mullings scored 13 points and Sy Bandja had 10 rebounds for New Mexico State.
Snell scored six straight points in an 8-0 run early in the second half, breaking a 41-all tie and putting the Lobos ahead to stay.
New Mexico State closed to 56-54 with 3:14 left, but Hugh Greenwood, who had 10 points and six rebounds, responded with a 3-pointer and Alex Kirk hit two free throws.
New Mexico struggled from 3-point range, going 6 for 20, while the Aggies were 10 of 17 from behind the arc.
The Aggies again chipped away and pulled to 62-58 with 1:02 left, but Snell drove the lane for a floater and Williams scored twice from the line to keep the Lobos in control.
Williams hit all eight of his foul shots to help New Mexico finish 16 of 21 from the line, compared to 11 for 20 for the Aggies.
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