CINCINNATI — Several games of stagnant offense finally caught up with No. 8 Cincinnati.

Sean Kilpatrick had his shot swatted away just before the buzzer Thursday night, allowing New Mexico to hold on for a 55-54 victory that handed the Bearcats their first loss.

Cincinnati (12-1) moved up to No. 8 this week — its highest ranking in nine years — and was trying to go 13-0 for only sixth time in school history. The Bearcats couldn’t salvage a tight game against a team known for knocking off top teams.

The Lobos (13-1) have won six of their last seven games against ranked teams.

Johnson fired by Brooklyn NetsNEW YORK — Coach of the month in November, out of a job by New Year's.The Brooklyn Nets have elevated expectations this season, and a .500 record wasn't good enough. Coach Avery Johnson was fired Thursday, his team having lost 10 of 13 games after a strong start to its first season in Brooklyn.Assistant P.J. Carlesimo will coach the Nets on an interim basis. The GM wouldn't comment on a report that the team planned to get in touch with former Lakers coach Phil Jackson.

McElroy concussed, Jets pick SanchezFLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Greg McElroy has a concussion and will be replaced by Mark Sanchez as the New York Jets' starting quarterback in the season finale at Buffalo on Sunday.Coach Rex Ryan says he chose to start Sanchez over Tim Tebow because the team has just two practices and a walkthrough to prepare before the game and he feels “more comfortable” with Sanchez.

USC's Barkley out of Sun Bowl gameEL PASO, Texas — Matt Barkley's career at Southern California is over, a shoulder injury bringing a disappointing end to his record-breaking, four-year run as the Trojans' quarterback.Coach Lane Kiffin announced that the senior quarterback won't play in the Sun Bowl against Georgia Tech because of an injured shoulder. Instead, redshirt freshman Max Wittek will make his second career start.

Japanese slugger Matsui retiresNEW YORK — Free agent slugger Hideki Matsui retired from professional baseball, saying he is no longer able to perform at the level that made him a star in two countries.The 2009 World Series MVP with the New York Yankees and a three-time Central League MVP with the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants struggled in a brief stint with the Tampa Bay Rays last season and recently made up his mind to call it a career after 20 years — the first 10 in Japan.

Fisk pleads guilty to DUI chargesJOLIET, Ill. — Hall of Fame baseball catcher Carlton Fisk pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor drunken-driving charge, two months after police found him asleep in his pickup truck in a suburban Chicago cornfield.Fisk, 64, was sentenced to one year of court supervision and must pay $1,250 in court costs. He also must undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and counseling.

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