Aggies top UNM on Lou Henson Night

Behind a season-high 26 points from Ian Baker and double-doubles from Eli Chuha and Jemerrio Jones, the NM State men’s basketball team defeated Battle of I-25 rival New Mexico 84-71 inside a raucous Pan American Center on Lou Henson night.

The win also gave NM State its first victory over UNM at home since Dec. 4, 2007, and snapped five-game skid against the Lobos.

“I think it’s big and rewarding for the all the work these guys put in,” Aggie coach Paul Weir said. “I think there are times they think I am crazy. I think there’s times that shoot, we may even be bordering a riot, as far as the expectations or the demands I have put on them. So when you push the guys that hard, they need to see something out of it. The Air Force win was great, winning at San Diego was great and winning against Long Beach was great. But something like this really kind of cements and vindicates all their work. That’s important for not only this group right now, but just our team as it evolves and grows throughout the season.”

Another rivalry game awaits NM State now as it heads down I-10 for a battle against UTEP on Tuesday , Dec. 13, at 7 p.m.