Aggies Fall at Nevada

RENO, Nev. (March 1)-The New Mexico State men’s basketball team’s five-game win streak was snapped at Nevada, 65-61.

Redshirt senior forward Wendell McKines led the Aggies (22-9, 9-4) with 19 points and 13 rebounds for his 17th double-double of the season and 44th of his career. Senior guard Hernst Laroche had 12 points and five assists, while freshman guard Daniel Mullings supplied 10 points and seven rebounds.

In the second half, the Aggies pulled within two early, 43-41, at the 17:56 mark after scoring the first five points of the half.

The NM State offense stalled and went over nine minutes without a field goal. Three free throws from Laroche and a 3-pointer from McKines brought the Aggies within 59-54 at 3:46.

Then a Sy 3-pointer and fast break dunk cut Nevada’s lead to four, 63-59, with 2:23 to play. After two defensive stops, a dunk from Mullings pulled the Aggies within two, 63-61 with 56 seconds to play.

The NM State defensive held strong and had the ball with 22 seconds to go, but an Aggie miscue gave Nevada the ball with 1.1 to play.

At halftime, the Aggies trailed Nevada, 43-36. McKines paced the Aggies with 11 points and six rebounds. Laroche and junior forward Tyrone Watson added six points each.

NM State only shot 35.9 percent (14-of-39) from the field in the first 20 minutes of action. The Aggies out-rebounded the Wolf Pack 24-17 with 13 offensive boards.

The lead changed four times in the opening minutes of the game. Nevada built an 11-point lead, 36-25, after three consecutive 3-poitners, but the Aggies finished the half strong and cut the advantage to seven with the final four points of the period.

The Aggies finish the regular season at Fresno State, Saturday, March 3 at 8 p.m.

Source: NMSU Athletics