ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Alex Kirk scored 29 points on 11-of-17 shooting and New Mexico led by an unforgiving 24 points at the half in cruising to a 90-72 win over Nevada on Saturday.

Cameron Bairstow poured in 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for New Mexico (19-5, 10-2), which has won seven of their last eight games and entered the contest one game behind Mountain West Conference leader San Diego State.

Nevada (12-14, 7-6), losers of four straight, fell behind 48-24 at the break and although outscoring the Lobos in the second period, it was not enough to erase the huge halftime deficit as New Mexico cruised to the buzzer making 55 percent (27 of 63) from the floor and 19 of 21 from the penalty line.

Cole Huff and Michael Perez scored 18 apiece for the Wolf Pack, who managed a 43 percent shooting effort.