New Mexico gets message, hands No. 6 UNR first loss

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — New Mexico coach Paul Weir did his best to get the Lobos to focus on playing their game against unbeaten and sixth-ranked UNR.

“I actually gave them a quote (Friday) and a quote (Saturday) in the locker room from Gregg Popovich after the Spurs beat the Raptors,” Weir said of the San Antonio coach. “It’s not about who we’re playing. It’s not about anything; it’s just about us executing and competing. And that’s all we talked about for two days.”

The message sunk in as the Lobos shut down the Wolf Pack on Saturday, getting 27 points from Anthony Mathis in an 85-58 victory.

“We had so many people rebound the ball. And play unselfish,” Mathis said. “A team that plays unselfish is so hard to beat, as you see.”

New Mexico (8-6, 2-0 Mountain West) knocked the Wolf Pack (14-1, 1-1) from the ranks of the undefeated and sent fans streaming onto the court.

Reserve Vance Jackson had 18 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and three steals for the Lobos. Makuach Maluach added 14 points.

Jordan Caroline scored 17 points for UNR, which looked out of sorts. Brothers Caleb and Cody Martin combined for 4-for-21 shooting and 17 points.

■ No. 4 Virginia 65, No. 9 Florida State 52 —

At Charlottesville, Va., Kyle Guy scored 18 of his 21 points in the first half for the Cavaliers (130, 1-0 Atlantic Coast), who held the Seminoles (12-2, 0-1) to 15 field goals on 34-percent shooting.

■ Iowa State 77, No. 5 Kansas 60—

At Ames, Iowa, Marial Shayok scored 26 points for the Cyclones (12-2, 2-0 Big 12), who overcame a 41-26 disadvantage in rebounds. Center Udoka Azubuike (wrist injury) sat out for the Jayhawks (12-2, 1-1), who committed a season-worst 24 turnovers.

■ No. 8 Michigan State 86, No. 14 Ohio State 77 —

At Columbus, Ohio, Cassius Winston scored 25 points for the Spartans (13-2, 4-0 Big Ten), who erased a seven-point halftime deficit. Kaleb Wesson scored 25 points for the Buckeyes (12-2, 2-1), who had won six in a row.

■ No. 11 Texas Tech 63, Kansas State 57 —

At Lubbock, Texas, Davide Moretti scored 19 points, including a run of 10 straight in the second half for the Red Raiders (13-1, 2-0 Big 12), who held the Wildcats (10-4, 0-2) to 33-percent shooting.

■ Alabama 77, No. 13 Kentucky 75 —

At Tuscaloosa, Ala., Tevin Mack hit six first-half 3-pointers and totaled 22 points for the Crimson Tide (10-3, 1-0 Southeastern), who led by 11 with 3:12 left. The Wildcats (10-3, 0-1) had five double-figure scorers.