NMSU Survives Last Second Shot Agains Idaho

New Mexico State sophomore guard Daniel Mullings sank two free throws with 14 seconds left in regulation to beat Idaho, 76-74. The Aggies won their 10th consecutive game (16-8, 10-2 WAC).

Mullings scored seven points and had four assists in 40 minutes of action. Freshman center Sim Bhullar led the Aggies in scoring with 20 points on an 8-of-8 performance from the field. Sophomore guard Terrel de Rouen had a career-high 12 points and a steal in the final 16 seconds of the game that set up the Mullings free throws. Junior forward Renaldo Dixon was also in double-digits with 12 points, which tied a season-high mark, and senior forward Bandja Sy recorded a career-high 15 rebounds and scored nine points.

The Aggies led for the majority of the second half until Idaho hit a 3-pointer to tie the game at 74-74 with 1:00 to play. Following a missed free throw, the Vandals had the ball with 26 seconds left and de Rouen grabbed his lone steal of the game.

The Crimson and White had a strong start to the second half and hit its first 5-of-8 shots and had a nine-point lead halfway through the second half, 57-48. The Aggies shot 61.5 percent from the field in the second half (16-of-26).

Junior forward Kevin Aronis hit a pair of 3-pointers in an 8-2 run that gave NM State its only double-digit lead of the game, 67-56, at 6:14 that forced an Idaho timeout. Aronis finished the game with nine points on 3-of-6 shooting from the 3-point line.

NM State posted a 36-35 halftime advantage with a strong inside presence. Dixon led NM State with 12 points. Bhullar added nine points on a 3-of-3 shooting performance. As a team, the Aggies shot 46.7 percent from the field (14-of-30).

The Aggies host Seattle, Saturday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. in the Lou Henson Classic.