The Charleston Classic turned out to be just that Thursday afternoon, as 19th-ranked New Mexico outlasted a stubborn UAB squad to win a thriller in double overtime, 97-94.Kendall Williams led the Lobos with 29 points and nailed a three-pointer with the clock running down to zeroes to force the first overtime period.
Alex Kirk scored the final five points for New Mexico in the first OT, including a three-pointer with 2.2 seconds left that extended the game into another five-minute extra period.
UAB's Todd Frazier led all scorers with 34 points, but it was Williams who provided the key plays for the win, hitting Cleveland Thomas for an open three-pointer with 39 seconds left in the second overtime. Thomas' bucket put the Lobos up by three and UAB could not overcome the lead as time ran down.
A senior guard, Williams flirted with a triple double, dishing 10 assists with six rebounds. He's the leading scorer for 3-0 New Mexico this season, averaging 22 points per game, increasing his average scoring output each season he's been with the Lobos.
Williams was 8-for-18 from the field, including 4-for-8 from downtown, adding nine points from the foul line where he made nine of 10.
UAB dropped their first game of the season after three wins; the Lobos remain unbeaten and face the unbeaten (4-0) Massachusetts Minutemen Friday afternoon at 2:30 pm ET in one of the tournament's semi-final match-ups. On the other side of the bracket, Davidson and Clemson meet in the other semi-final game, 9:30 pm ET.
The final is Sunday afternoon at TD Arena in Charleston, SC, following the consolation game.
