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For more on this game, see the Postgame Stats

HONOLULU(AP)Daniel Faris scored 21 points and J.R. Giddens added 17 as New Mexico defeated Hawaii, 79-69, Thursday night.

Dairese Gary finished with 12 points and Roman Martinez added 11 for New Mexico (12-2), which held off two late rallies by Hawaii (3-8).

Hawaii cut a 10-point halftime deficit to 62-59 on Bobby Nashs 3-pointer with 3:36 left in the game.

New Mexico then scored four points on the next possession.

Monquel Pegues made his first free throw attempt, but missed the second. Giddens rebounded the miss and was fouled on his putback. He converted the free throw to complete the 3-point play and put the Lobos ahead 66-59.

Gary then made a layup off a steal on the next possession to give the Lobos a 68-59 lead with 2:43 left.

The Rainbow Warriors mounted another late rally, cutting the deficit to 70-67 on Nashs 3-pointer with 1:35 remaining. But the Lobos scored the next seven points to close out the game.

Matt Gibson led Hawaii with 19 points and Nash had 18. Riley Luettgerodt added 11 points.

Hawaii led 11-4 in the games opening minutes, but New Mexico rallied to take the lead for good at 16-15 on a basket by Faris with 8:48 remaining.

After Hawaii closed to 26-24 on a basket by Luettgerodt with four minutes left in the first half, New Mexico scored eight straight points to lead 34-24. The Lobos led 38-28 at halftime.

When they last met this season on Nov. 21, Hawaii lost at New Mexico, 89-60.