Harris helps lift Nevada over New Mexico 88-74

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Sparked by another standout game from Jalen Harris, who scored 26 with nine rebounds, Nevada beat New Mexico 88-74 on Tuesday night.

It was a game that marked the first return to the Pit of former Lobos coaches Steve Alford, who left New Mexico to coach UCLA before ending up at Reno, Nev., and Craig Neal, who replaced Alford with the Lobos, before getting fired after four years and joining Alford with the Wolf Pack.

Both were booed heartily at their entrance to the arena.

While New Mexico showed an intensity that has been missing of late, a 13-3 Wolf Pack run late in the first half turned a 30-30 game into a 43-33 Nevada lead.

The Lobos never really threatened from there, getting no closer than 49-42 early in the second half.

Jazz Johnson added 15 points, including his 1,500th career point, for Nevada (17-10, 10-5 Mountain West Conference), which has won four straight.

Vance Jackson had 25 for New Mexico (17-11, 6-9).

Lindsey Drew scored 14 points with six rebounds and four assists to become the first Wolf Pack player in program history with 900 points, 600 rebounds and 500 assists in his career.

Harris came into the game averaging 32 points a game over his last five.

BIG PICTURE

Nevada: The win moves the Wolf Pack into a second-place tie with Utah State. It is a key spot in which to be as every team is striving to be in the bracket opposite No. 4 San Diego State, which Nevada has to play at home in the regular season finale Feb. 29.

New Mexico: The Lobos continue to stumble along and now have lost three of four at home after starting the home slate 13-0. New Mexico is in danger of dropping to the bottom half of the conference tournament play-in bracket.

UP NEXT:

Nevada: The Wolf Pack is home Feb. 22 against Fresno State.

New Mexico: The Lobos are at Boise State on Feb. 23.