LAst second shot downs NMSU,CSU Bakersfield wins 57-54

In a case of dj vu but with a mirror image, CSU Bakersfield’s Dedrick Basile buried a 26-foot 3-pointer with 0.2 seconds to play to break the New Mexico State Aggies hold on the WAC Tournament Championship with a 57-54 win at the Orleans Arena Saturday night.

The Aggies (23-10) fell in the tournament championship game for the first time since winning four straight titles starting in 2012. For CSU Bakersfield (24-8) it was their first WAC Tournament win and the ‘Runners first victory over NM State in 12 tries.

“That was a heart-wrenching three,” said NM State head coach Marvin Menzies. “But (CSUB) earned the win. They played really good basketball when they needed to in spurts. They needed big shots and got them every time.”

The Aggies played from behind all night, but turned it on late and got the game tied for the first time since 10-all when Tanveer Bhullar hit one of two free throws with 13 seconds to play to knot the game at 54-all. Then came Basile’s dagger.

“I’m very proud of my guys,” said NM State head coach Marvin Menzies. “When baskets just weren’t dropping – point blank baskets that we normally make just weren’t dropping – it kept us from getting our offense going. We’d been playing some pretty good offense against pressure, but it wasn’t meant to be tonight.”