COLLEGE BASKETBALL / PRESEASON NIT : USF and Memphis Get Victories

Gerald Walker scored 24 points and San Francisco used a 12-0 run at the start of the second half Thursday to beat New Mexico, 80-74, in the first round of the Preseason NIT at Albuquerque, N.M.

The Dons advanced to the quarterfinals at Memphis, Tenn., where Memphis also was a winner Thursday, beating Southwestern Louisiana, 70-66.

New Mexico led, 38-37, at halftime, but the Dons built an 11-point lead in the second half.

At Memphis, the Tigers, who trailed by as many as 16 in the first half, used a 27-6 run in building a 67-58 lead with 4:12 to play. David Vaughn had 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Tigers.