LAS CRUCES, N.M.—Utah Valley fell behind early and could never catch up in an 86-59 loss to New Mexico State on Saturday afternoon in a game for the outright lead in the WAC standings at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces, N.M.
 
The loss brings Utah Valley's win streak to a end at eight games, which was the fourth-best current win streak in the country. UVU falls to 15-6 overall and 4-1 in WAC play. NM State improves to 17-3 overall and 5-0 in league play.
 
New Mexico State jumped out to a 11-point, 16-5, lead just five minutes into the game after back-to-back threes by Zach Lofton. The Aggies extended their lead to as many as 12 points, 27-15, with 7:23 remaining in the first half.
 
Kenneth Ogbe then led Utah Valley on an 14-7 run as the senior forward completed a three-point play in the paint before knocking down two shots from long range and a pair of free throws as he scored 11 points over a three and a half minute span to pull the Wolverines within five points, 34-29, with 2:52 remaining in the half. The Aggies responded with five straight points to take a 39-29 lead into the break.
 
NM State opened the second half on a 21-4 run that included five shots from beyond the arc to take a 27-point, 60-33, advantage with 13:31 to play. UVU could only get as close as 22 points as the Aggies hung on to their lead to secure the win.
 
Ogbe paced Utah Valley with 13 points as he connected on 4-of-9 shots from the field, including a pair of threes. He also knocked down 3-of-3 shots at the free throw line. Jerrelle DeBerry was also in double figures with 12 points. The senior guard connected on 3-of-9 shots from the field, all from long range. He also hit 3-of-4 shots at the charity stripe. Jake Toolson and Conner Toolson each scored nine points, while Isaac Neilson helped with eight.
 
New Mexico State shot an impressive 54.8 percent clip from the field, including a 53.6 percent mark from three-point range. The Aggies knocked down 15 shots from beyond the arc. UVU shot 37.3 percent from the field and 40 percent from long range with eight threes. NMSU out-rebounded UVU, 37-26.
 
Lofton led New Mexico State with a game-high 24 points to lead three other Aggies in double figures.
 
Utah Valley returns to Orem to host Grand Canyon on Saturday, Jan. 27. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. For tickets, visit GoUVU.com/tickets.