Box Score
Box Score
Postgame Notes
Las Cruces, N.M. – It was an exciting game at the Pan American Center tonight, but it was New Mexico State who came out on top after defeating Texas State, 78-67. The Aggies used the paint to their advantage tonight finishing 53.7 percent from the floor. Texas State had 36 points off the bench as it shot 42.9 percent from the floor.
Junior forward Joel Wright recorded 15 points for his 13th double figure scoring game of the season. Junior guard Deonte' Jones scored a career-high 15 points on 5-for-7 shooting. Junior point guard Phil Hawkins dished out a career-high eight assists, in addition to recording nine points and six rebounds.
New Mexico State started the second half on a 12-2 run, but the Bobcats kept battling back. Wesley Davis came alive in the period to give Texas State back-to-back buckets and cut New Mexico State's lead to 57-53.
Both teams traded baskets over the next three minutes with a Matt Staff jumper in the paint trimming the Aggies lead to 68-62 with 4:32 remaining. Staff then registered a long range three-pointer to bring Texas State to within three.
The Bobcats were unable to generate any offense over the final three minutes of play, as they fell to the Aggies tonight at the Pan American Center.
Texas State trailed by as many as 10 points in the first half, but it was lights out shooting by D. Jones that brought the Bobcats back into the game. Jones assisted in Texas State's 23-11 run with eight consecutive points of his own. He had a 5-for-5 performance from the floor in the half, and drained a jumper with time expiring to tie the game at 37-All entering the half.
The Aggies had three players in double figures. Daniel Mullings had a team-high 22 points. Sim Bhullar chipped in 20 points (9-for-9), while Bandja Sy had a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Texas State will continue WAC play next week at home. The Bobcats host Louisiana Tech on Thursday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. CT. UT Arlington will come to town on Saturday, Jan. 12 for a 2 p.m. tip-off.
