Christian Kabongo scored a game-high 23 points to help New Mexico State clinch third place in the Great Alaska Shootout with an 81-71 victory over San Francisco on Saturday night.
The Aggies (5-1) started slow, shooting just 35 percent from the field in the first half and trailing most of the game. But they gained momentum midway through the second half and ended up taking the lead for good with about 7 minutes left.
New Mexico State finished shooting 58 percent in the second half.
Wendell McKines added 17 points for the Aggies while Hernst Laroche scored 12 and Hamidu Rahman 10. Kabongo made 11 of 12 free-throw tries.
Angelo Caloiaro led the Dons (5-3) with 22 points and made a game-high four 3-pointers. Perris Blackwell added 12 and Rashad Green 11 for San Francisco, which finished in fifth place in the tournament.
