OREM—Isaiah White recorded a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double and to lead Utah Valley in a 70-56 loss to WAC leader New Mexico State on Thursday night at the UCCU Center.
 
Utah Valley falls to 7-12 overall and 1-3 in WAC play, while the Aggies improve to 13-6 overall and 4-0 in league play. 
 
The two teams played to a 7-7 tie just six minutes into the contest. NM State then used a 7-0 run to take a 14-7 advantage with 14:03 to go in the first half. The Wolverines bounced right back with a 9-2 run capped off by an Isaiah White three-pointer to tie the game, 16-16, with 10:10 on the clock. The runs continued with the Aggies scoring seven unanswered points to retake a seven-point 23-16 lead with 7:35 to play in the opening period. The two teams then played even over the final 6:31 as NM State held on to its lead at the half, 34-27.
 
Utah Valley cut the NM State lead to just two points, 40-38, just five minutes into the second half. The Aggies countered with a 17-3 run to jump out to a 57-41 lead with 10:36 to play.  NM State held on to its lead to secure the win.
 
White scored his 16 points on 7 of 13 shooting from the field, including a pair of makes from beyond the arc. He also knocked down a pair of free throws. Casdon Jardine was also in double figures with 10 points on 4 of 7 shooting, including a 2 of 3 mark from long range. 
 
TJ Washington added eight points, while Brandon Averette added seven. Emmanuel Olojakpoke scored six points on a perfect 3 of 3 night from the field. Olojakpoke also had two blocks to push his swat total to 51 on the season.
 
As a team, Utah Valley shot 40 percent (21 of 52) from the field, including a 26 percent (5 of 19) clip from long range. NM State shot 45 percent (22 of 49) from the field and 38 percent (11 of 29) from beyond the arc. 
 
Trevelin Queen and Terrell Brown led NM State with 17 points apiece. 
 
Utah Valley will continue WAC play at home on Saturday as the team hosts UT Rio Grande Valley. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.