Spokesman-Review
National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
New Mexico 55, Cincinnati 54
When: 9:00 PM ET, Thursday, December 27, 2012
Where: Fifth Third Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio
Officials: # David Hall, # Randy McCall, # Scott Thornley
Attendance: 10627

New Mexico 55, No. 8 Cincinnati 54: Kendall Williams scored 12 of his 16 points in the second half as the visiting Lobos knocked the Bearcats from the unbeaten ranks.

Cincinnati had the ball last, but Sean Kilpatrick's 3-point shot was blocked by Alex Kirk with 1.6 seconds left. Kirk, a 7-0 sophomore center, recorded 15 points and seven rebounds for New Mexico (13-1), which was 6-for-11 from 3-point range in the second half.

Kilpatrick scored 15 points on 5-for-22 shooting for the Bearcats (12-1), who were 11-for-26 from 3-point range (42.3 percent) but 9-for-38 from inside the arc (23.7). JaQuon Parker added 14 points, Cashmere Wright scored 12 and Cheikh Mbodj grabbed 10 rebounds for Cincinnati.

Cincinnati scored the first six points and never trailed en route to a 26-22 advantage at halftime despite shooting 25.6 percent from the field. New Mexico committed eight turnovers and was 1-for-8 from 3-point range before the break while being outrebounded 21-14, including 9-3 offensively.

The Lobos took their first lead 34-32 on Kirk's basket with 14:28 remaining and went ahead 43-37 on back-to-back 3-pointers by Kirk and Williams before Shaquille Thomas and Kilpatrick answered with 3s to tie it. The lead changed hands on six straight baskets in a 2:55 span with Tony Snell's jumper with 2:28 left the final points.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Cincinnati fell to 39-4 at home in its last 43 non-conference games, including 8-1 this season. ... Both teams recorded season lows for points scored. ... Duke, Michigan, Arizona and Wyoming are the remaining undefeated teams in Division I.
Top Game Performances
 
New Mexico   Cincinnati
Kendall Williams 16 Scoring Sean Kilpatrick 15
Hugh Greenwood 8 Assists Cashmere Wright 4
Alex Kirk 7 Rebounds Cheikh Mbodj 10
Alex Kirk 2 Free Throws Made Sean Kilpatrick 1
Chad Adams 1 Steals Justin Jackson 3
Alex Kirk 3 Blocks Cheikh Mbodj 3
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
New Mexico 55 38.9 7-19 6-11 15 29 4 2 14
Cincinnati 54 31.2 11-26 3-4 11 35 4 7 11