NIT : Roundup : Texas Shoots Down New Mexico, 69-66

The Texas Longhorns rode their multi-dimensional offense to a 69-66 victory over New Mexico in a first-round National Invitation Tournament game at Albuquerque Thursday night.

The Longhorns did it by getting double figure scoring from four of their starters to offset a sparkling 30-point effort by New Mexico forward Johnny Brown.

Forward Raynard Davis came up with a crucial offensive rebound with 54 seconds left and then hit a pair of free throws that secured Texas’ victory in its first appearance in the NIT since it won the tournament title in 1980.

Texas is 19-11, while New Mexico finishes at 17-14.

In other first-round games:

Wyoming 79, Texas A&M; 70--Fennis Dembo and Les Bolden each scored 23 points as the Cowboys (21-11) defeated the Aggies (20-12) at Laramie, Wyo. Guard Don Marbury scored 22 points to lead Texas A&M.;

BYU 67, SMU 63--Junior center Tom Gneiting scored 20 points, including a pair of critical free throws with 12 seconds left, to lead the Cougars (16-14) past the Mustangs (18-11) at Provo, Utah.

Clemson 99, Middle Tennessee 81--Forward Horace Grant scored 33 points to lead the Tigers (18-14) into the second round with the win at Clemson, S.C. The Blue Raiders ended their season at 23-11.

Marquette 79, Drake 59--Junior forward David Boone scored 26 points as the Warriors (19-10) defeated the Bulldogs (19-11) at Milwaukee.

Florida 81, Southern Mississippi 71--Sophomore Ronnie Montgomery scored 22 points as the Gators (17-12) overcame an early 13-point deficit and rolled over the Golden Eagles (17-12) at Gainesville, Fla.

Georgia 95, Tennessee Chattanooga 81--Senior guard Donald Hartry pumped in a game-high 22 points to lead four players in double figures as the Bulldogs (17-12) trounced the Moccasins (21-10) at Chattanooga, Tenn.

Louisiana Tech 67, Northern Arizona 61--Robert Godbolt scored 18 points and Willie Bland added 15 at Flagstaff, Ariz., to help the Bulldogs to the first-round victory.

George Mason 65, Lamar 63--Senior Ricky Wilson hit a 50-foot jumper with two seconds left to give the Patriots (18-12) the win over the Cardinals (18-12) at Beaumont, Tex.