TUCSON, Ariz. -- Arizona ended its nonconference season with one of its best all-around performances of the season.

Five players scored in double figures, and the 18th-ranked Wildcats turned in a smothering defensive effort as they breezed past New Mexico 77-46 on Tuesday night at McKale Center.

"If we can get some good news and good health moving forward, I think this team has a big upside," Arizona coach Sean Miller said. "The one peace of mind I have is we've played a bunch of different styles and teams."

The Wildcats (11-2) might just be hitting their stride after playing short-handed -- with only seven available, healthy scholarship players -- for the past six games. Point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright could be back from a high ankle sprain for the start of Pac-12 play on Dec. 30 at Cal, although the eligibility status of guard Allonzo Trier remains a mystery.

"I like the fact that we're 11-2," said Miller, whose team has losses to Gonzaga and Butler. "Considering the circumstances, I think all of us feel it's job well done for our group. Now, it's how much can we get better in the next stretch."

Arizona sophomore forward Chance Comanche came off the bench to score a team-high 14 points, a career best. He was 6 of 6 from the field, including five dunks, and he grabbed eight rebounds, playing more aggressively and with more energy after recent struggles while adjusting to a bigger role than he had as a freshman.

"I just had to stop fighting myself and clear my head and play basketball -- play like I do in practice," Comanche said. "Like Coach always says, if you do that, you'll have results in the game."

The Lobos (7-5) were led by guard Elijah Brown, who scored 17 points. Forward Tim Williams added 14 points for New Mexico, which shot 26.2 percent (17 of 65).

"We didn't come out and compete at a high level tonight," New Mexico coach Craig Neal said. "I thought our guys were ready, but we looked a little shell-shocked."

Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen and guard Rawle Alkins each scored 13. Guards Kadeem Allen and Kobi Simmons had 11 apiece. Alkins, a freshman, pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds for his first career double-double.

Arizona led by double-digit points for the final 35:20 of the game. The Wildcats' biggest advantage came at 75-43 with one minute left. They had a 49-30 edge on the glass.

Arizona opened the game on a 12-0 run as New Mexico missed its first 11 shots before Williams hit a follow-up basket with 14:08 left in the half.

"I don't know if it was their size, their physicality, but when you get down 11-0, it's tough to get going," Neal said. "I think we played a really good basketball team tonight."

The Wildcats ruled the first half with defense, holding the Lobos to 7 of 31 shooting (22.6 percent). New Mexico went 0 of 6 from beyond the arc, and Williams could only do so much by himself in the post.

The Lobos trailed 37-16 at halftime, their lowest point total for any half this season. The previous low was 25 against Dayton, which is coached by Sean Miller's younger brother, Archie.

NOTES: Arizona and New Mexico played for the 126th time, but this was their first meeting since Dec. 21, 1999. ... Arizona G Allonzo Trier missed his 12th game because of an unspecified eligibility issue. School officials again had no comment on his status Tuesday night. ... Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona, an Arizona alum who lives in Tucson in the offseason, attended his second consecutive game at McKale Center. ... The Lobos are 1-5 away from home, including an 0-3 mark in true road games.