New Mexico 71, Houston 49

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) _ Miranda Sanchez scored 23 points and New Mexico took advantage of Houston's shooting problems in the first half to take a 72-49 win Thursday in an opening round game of the Women's National Invitational tournament.

New Mexico (19-12) scored the game's first 11 points and closed out the first half with a 12-0 run. Houston missed its first 14 shots and got its first field goal on a layup by Nicole Oliver with 9:50 left in the opening half.

The Cougars' first points came on a pair of free throws by Norma Noel with 11:48 left in the opening half.

Houston (19-13) trailed 30-13 at halftime after hitting just 5 of 25 shots, but cut the deficit to 42-32 by hitting eight of its first 12 shots in the second half.

The Cougars again were within 10 points after Cathy Lida hit a 3-pointer with 9:56 left. Sanchez hit a 3-pointer and the Lobos later went on a 7-0 run for a 58-40 lead.

ShaRonda Lasseter led Houston with 10 points.

Sanchez hit 8 of 17 shots and had four 3-pointers. Jordan Adams added 15 points for New Mexico.

The Lobos play Arizona in a second round game Saturday in Albuquerque. Arizona beat Pepperdine in another first round game Thursday.

Alabama 77, Memphis 67

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) _ Beth Vice made 22 points and two 3-pointers in the final minutes to lead Alabama over Memphis 77-67 in the first round of the Women's National Invitational Tournament Thursday.

LaNisha Cartwell led the Crimson Tide with 23 points.

The victory was the first-ever in the WNIT for Alabama (19-11).

Alabama advances to the second round of the tournament next week.

Memphis (17-13) made 37.5 percent of their field goals and turned the ball over 18 times.

Tiffany Adkins hit 19 points for Memphis and had four assists.

Alabama overcame Memphis' pressure and turned the ball over only 13 times, said coach Rick Moody.

``We talked before the game how we were scared of the press,'' Moody said. ``We started off tentative, but got into it and started to break the press down.''