Aggies Hold off Late Charge

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (Feb. 4)-The New Mexico State men’s basketball team began the second half of WAC play with an 83-72 win over Louisiana Tech.

The Aggies (17-7, 6-2 WAC) ended the game with a 20-5 run to hold off the Bulldogs (11-12, 3-5). Senior center Hamidu Rahman had a team-high 20 points, which tied his season-high mark, on a 7-of-10 performance from the field. It was the fourth 20-point showing of his career. Freshman guard Daniel Mullings added 15 points, with 14 scored in the second half including eight consecutive in the late Aggie run, and seven rebounds.

Redshirt senior forward Wendell McKines posted his 14th double-double of the year with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while junior forward Tyrone Watson had a game-high seven assists, which tied a career high.

Utilizing their size advantage, the Aggies had a 44-40 lead at halftime. NM State scored 20 points in the paint with a 14-0 advantage in second-chance points, and Rahman led the Crimson and White with 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting.

McKines added nine points and six rebounds. Junior forward Bandja Sy contributed seven points, and Watson dished six assists.

The Aggies return to the road for a pair of WAC games at Idaho, Feb. 9 at 9 p.m. and at Utah State, Feb. 11 at 1 p.m. on ESPN2.

Source: NMSU Athletics