Ranked in the AP and coaches polls for the first time this season, No. 25 New Mexico easily dispatched of Mercer, 76-58, to improve its perfect record to 7-0.
No. 25 New Mexico vs. Mercer final score: Lobos roll, 76-58
New Mexico stayed unbeaten with an easy win over the Bears on Wednesday night in The Pit.
Ethan Miller
New Mexico took charge of the game early and never looked back, opening the contest with a 19-5 run in the first seven minutes. From there, Mercer clawed back to make it a nine-point game at the half, 31-22, and got to within six at the 11-minute mark after two free throws from Travis Smith. But the Lobos went on yet another 19-5 run over another seven-minute period to push the lead to 20, sealing the game.
Cameron Bairstow and Alex Kirk each scored 16 for New Mexico, with Kirk also pulling down 11 rebounds for his second straight double-double. Tony Snell added 13 points, three three-pointers and five assists. For the game, the Lobos shot 43 percent from the floor, though their long-distance looks were off, with just five of 20 attempts made. 26 free-throw attempts, 17 of them made, helped New Mexico build its lead. Smith led the Bears with 16 points and six rebounds. The Lobos were dominant on the glass, outrebounding the Bears, 40-27.
New Mexico will take its seven-game winning streak and unbeaten record to 4-1 Indiana State. The teams will tip off at 2:05 pm ET on Dec. 1 in Terre Haute, Ind.
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