COL BKB: New Mexico 82, Brigham Young 64

PROVO, Utah, March 3 (UPI) -- Phillip McDonald scored New Mexico's first eight points Wednesday and the Lobos cruised to a shocking 82-64 demolition of No. 3 Brigham Young.

The Cougars were stunned this week by the loss of forward Brandon Davies for the rest of the season for what Brigham Young officials said was a violation of the school's honor code.

Although the absence of Davies was an obvious concern, the Cougars were still expected to gain revenge at home against a New Mexico team that upset BYU in Albuquerque earlier this season.

New Mexico, however, took a 13-2 lead and had a 16-point advantage at halftime. BYU could not make a game of it in the second half despite a one-man effort from Jimmer Fredette.

The Lobos held a 36-25 rebounding advantage.

McDonald made 9-of-14 shots from the field and scored 26 points. Both Drew Gordon and Kendall Williams added 15 for the Lobos (19-11, 7-8 Mountain West Conference).

Fredette, major college basketball's leading scorer with 27.3 points per game, had 33 points along with six assists and five rebounds.

BYU had won seven in a row since its previous loss to New Mexico.

The Cougars (27-3, 13-2) fell into a tie for first place in the conference race with San Diego State, a team they have beaten twice this season.