LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The New Mexico State men’s basketball team defeated in-state rival New Mexico 76-68 Nov. 15 behind a strong defensive performance. The Aggies are now 3-0 on the season and got their second consecutive win over the Lobos.
NMSU got on the board first thanks to an Anthony Wrzeszcz three-pointer, who proved to play a major role in the Aggies win, finishing with a team-high 16 points on 5-for-9 shooting from the field and 4-for-8 from three. After Gabe Pickens added a three himself, NMSU built a 10-6 lead after five minutes of play.
The advantage quickly grew to 10 points over the next couple minutes, but the Lobos were able to answer and take their first lead of the game as halftime approached. The game was knotted at 27 at the break, with both sides not being able to do much offensively due to the stellar defense being played.
Both squads came out gunning in the second half, trading quick baskets but UNM got stops and started to build its largest lead of the night at five points with 15:47 left in the game.
New Mexico State’s second leading scorer Jemel Jones, who was held scoreless at the half, got himself going in the second by hitting back-to-back threes, which led to an 8-2 run by himself to give the Aggies a 44-43 lead with just over 12 minutes to go. Jones finished with 15 points and had three first half steals.
The game continued to be a shootout with either side not giving in, as the rivals kept trading buckets down the stretch. The Aggies were able to build a six-point cushion at the 6:39 mark, but critical fouls kept the Lobos alive. The game was yet again tied at 62 with just over four minutes left.
A couple free throws from Julius Mims, who finished with eight points and eight rebounds, and three-pointers from Jones and Wrzeszcz gave the Aggies a slim 70-68 lead with just under two minutes to go.
NMSU was able to hold UNM scoreless in the final two minutes of regulation. Two offensive rebounds from Augustine Ekwe and Elijah Elliott all but sealed the victory for the Aggies. The Lobos were forced to foul the rest of the way and looked to keep the game alive, but went 0-for-5 from the field in the final stretch.
Elliott scored 11 points off the bench and played a critical role to closeout the game. Jayland Randall, NMSU’s fourth guard scoring in double figures, added another 10. UNM’s leading scorer Deyton Albury, finished with 18 points and fouled out with just a minute left in the game.
The game, as expected,was physical as are most rivalry games, with neither team shooting better than 45% from the field. The Aggies and Lobos both struggled from deep, as the Lobos shot 29% and the Aggies shot 31%. The difference in the game was defense.
New Mexico State won the turnover battle by five and points off turnovers by two. The Aggies also had more steals, eight to four, and blocks, four to one, than the Lobos.
The win for NMSU marks the first time they beat the Lobos at home since Dec. 4, 2018, snapping a seven-year drought. Head coach Jason Hooten also grabbed his first home victory against their rival Lobos.
The Aggies will have yet another home game Friday, Nov. 21, against Samford University. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
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