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Final Score: New Mexico 74 - Southern Ill 59

Carbondale, IL (Sports Network) - Dairese Gary posted 15 points and five assists to lead the New Mexico Lobos to a 74-59 triumph over the Southern Illinois Salukis as part of the annual Mountain West/Missouri Valley Challenge.

Phillip McDonald posted 11 points and nine rebounds for New Mexico (5-1), which got 11 points and eight boards from Emmanuel Negedu. As for Jamal Fenton, he contributed 10 points and five assists.

Troy Long scored 13 points in defeat for Southern Illinois (3-4), which got 10 points apiece from Carlton Fay, Mamadou Seck and Kendal Brown-Surles.

New Mexico led 33-30 at intermission after holding Southern Illinois to 39.3 percent shooting from the floor in the first half.

The Lobos played even better defense in the second half, limiting the Salukis to 34.6 percent shooting.

New Mexico finished the game with a 37-32 rebounding advantage and a 17-13 edge in points from the foul line. A 28-16 edge in points in the paint obviously helped the cause as well.