LAS CRUCES, N.M.—Tshilidzi Nephawe scored 14 points and four other Aggies scored in double figures to lead New Mexico State to a 69-44 win over Utah Valley Saturday night at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces.
Utah Valley wraps up its latest road trip with a 1-1 record as the Wolverines defeated Texas-Pan American on Thursday night. With the loss, the Wolverines fall to 7-11 overall and 2-2 in WAC play. New Mexico State takes over sole possession of first place in the WAC with a 4-1 record. The Aggies are now 12-10 overall.
The win marks the 24th straight WAC home victory for New Mexico State. The Aggies have now won 47 of their last 51 games at the Pan American Center.
"New Mexico State came into the game with a lot of energy," said Utah Valley head coach
Dick Hunsaker. "We had a couple of untimely costly turnovers early in the game and I think that helped ignite New Mexico State. I thought there were some bright spots for us that we will be able to build on. Give the credit to New Mexico State tonight. They played outstanding."
Junior guard
Donte Williams led Utah Valley with a game-high 17 points. Williams connected on 5-of-10 shots from the field. He was a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe. Williams also pulled down three rebounds in the setback.
Mitch Bruneel was also in double figures with 11 points, connecting on 5-of-7 shots from the field. He tallied a team-high five rebounds with two steals and an assist.
Jaden Jackson helped out with seven points on the night.
Bruneel got the Wolverines off to a good start, scoring the team's first seven points to stay even with the Aggies 7-7 after five minutes of play. Utah Valley trailed by just two points, 12-10 with 13 minutes to go in the first half but a 15-5 run by NM State over the next five minutes gave the Aggies a 27-15 advantage. NMSU would then hold on to the lead to take a 33-22 advantage into the break.
The Aggies opened the second half with an 11-3 run and extended their lead to 21 points. NM State would then continue to build upon its lead late into the second half to secure the victory.
Utah Valley now returns home to host a pair of games next week. The Wolverines will host Chicago State on Jan. 29 before welcoming Missouri-Kansas City on Jan. 31. Saturday's game against UMKC will be broadcast nationally on the American Sports Network.
