Aggies Fall to West Virginia

by NMSU Athletics

NEWARK, N.J.-The New Mexico State men’s basketball team had four players with double-digit scoring performances against West Virginia, Saturday, Nov. 24, in the StubHub! Legends Classic Consolation Game at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.  Sophomore guard Jonathan Gibson led the team with 14 points as the Aggies fell to the Mountaineers, 75-61. 

Senior center Martin Iti came off the bench to record a season-high 13 points on 5-for-6 shooting from the field.  Senior guard Fred Peete had 11 points along with three assists and a pair of steals. 

Head coach Marvin Menzies said he was pleased with how the Aggies responded after the Texas loss.

“I like the way my guys fought and got after it,” Menzies said.  “I was proud of the effort and West Virginia did a very good job of sustaining the defensive pressure, which he (coach Bob Huggins) is notorious for.” 

Offensively, senior center Hatila Passos nearly had a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.  Junior guard Paris Carter contributed eight points and five rebounds in his first career start at NMSU for the injured senior guard/forward Justin Hawkins.  In only seven minutes of action, sophomore forward Londale Theus had four points. 

In the first half, Gibson had a game-high 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field.  The Aggies trailed 33-30 at the break in a half that had nine lead changes.  Iti had eight points after a 4-of-4 performance and Carter added five points. 

The Aggies used a 9-0 run to take a 41-37 with 15:36 remaining in the game.  Passos began and ended the rally with a pair of lay-ups.  Carter tied the game at 37-37 on a 3-pointer and Gibson gave NMSU its first lead of the second half with two free throws at the 16:14 mark. 

NMSU returns to the court Tuesday, Nov. 27, at 7:00 p.m. for the first meeting with I-10 rival UTEP in El Paso, Texas. 

 

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