Williams’ 10 3s, 46 points ignite Lobos’ road win

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — With nine minutes left, New Mexico guard Kendall Williams trudged to the bench with a career-high 28 points — and four fouls.

While he caught his breath, No. 22 Colorado State built a six-point lead over the 16th-ranked Lobos. Moby Arena was rocking and the Rams were rolling, poised to extend the nation’s third-longest home winning streak to 28 games.

Williams had other things in mind — and 18 points left to score.

The junior guard from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., set a Mountain West record with 10 3-point baskets and finished with a career-best 46 points in leading New Mexico to a 91-82 win Saturday.

“Luckily, some shots went in,” said Williams, whose previous career high was 24 points.

His 46 points were the most in the 47-year-old arena, topping the 44 scored by Portland State’s Freeman Williams on Nov. 29, 1975.

“He should be hands-down player of the week, I would think,” New Mexico coach Steve Alford said.

Williams helped the Lobos overcome that 70-64 deficit at the six-minute mark by hitting three 3-pointers, a dunk and seven free throws as New Mexico outscored the Rams 27-12 down the stretch.

“He got on a roll today,” Alford said. “And it was a 40-minute roll.”

Actually, it was a 33-minute roll. Williams spent seven minutes on the bench in foul trouble. Center Alex Kirk added 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Lobos (23-4, 10-2 MW), who increased their lead in the conference to two games over the Rams (21-5, 8-4).

Colton Iverson had 26 points and 15 boards for the Rams, who missed a prime opportunity to move into a first-place tie.

■ San Diego State 88, UNR 75 — At San Diego, Jamaal Franklin compiled 23 points and 11 rebounds for the Aztecs (20-7, 8-5), who beat the Wolf Pack and extended their school-record streak of 20-win seasons to eight.

Malik Story made 7 of 13 3-point attempts and scored 33 points for UNR (12-14, 3-9).

■ Boise State 72, Fresno State 63 — At Fresno, Calif., Anthony Drmic scored 28 points and Jeff Elorriaga added 20 to power the Broncos (18-8, 6-6).

Demic hit 12 of 15 free throws and Elorriaga shot 6-for-10 on 3-pointers.

Allen Huddleston scored 21 points to lead Fresno State (9-17, 3-10). Tyler Johnson added 15 points, and Kevin Olekaibe (Cimarron-Memorial) supplied 10.