Kansas City
New Mexico State
New Mexico State Takes Revenge on Kansas City, 71-48
2/13/2014 11:03:00 PM | Men's Basketball
(Las Cruces, N.M.) - New Mexico State defended Kansas City to only 26 percent shooting and rolled to a 71-48 victory at the Pan American Center on Thursday night, exacting revenge on the 'Roos for the win in Kansas City.
Kansas City (7-16, 4-6 WAC) had to deal with the much bigger Aggies (19-8, 8-3 WAC) on the inside all night, but held their own on the glass, pulling down a season-high 23 offensive boards. Unfortunately, most of the shots in the paint for UMKC were altered or highly pressured as NMSU had 12 blocks and held the 'Roos to 16 points inside.
“Their size really bothered us on the offensive end,” UMKC Head Coach Kareem Richardson said. “But I was really encouraged by the way we played on the defensive end, and I thought we really battled on the boards.”
The 'Roos trailed by just four, 19-15, with eight minutes to play in the opening period, but an 8-0 run by the Aggies over the next three minutes gave them control of the game. They would go into the break leading 35-22. Trinity Hall led the 'Roos with seven at the half, while Tshilidzi Nephawe had 13 points and seven boards to pace NMSU.
The final stanza was very similar to the first as it was played nearly even for the first seven-plus minutes, but another 8-0 run by the Aggies pushed the margin to 18 by the 10:55 mark. With 6:09 left, they padded the margin up to 20, virtually sealing it.
The difference in the second half was shooting and free throws as the Aggies hit three more threes and five more from the line, while holding UMKC to 25 percent. NMSU shot 42 percent for the game, below their season average of 50 percent.
The rebound margin ended up being only 50-45 in favor of the Aggies, with Fred Chatmon pulling down 13 for the 'Roos. Martez Harrison led the way with 13 points for Kansas City, while Nelson Kirksey finished with 12.
UMKC will look to snap its four-game skid on Saturday when it travels to face Texas-Pan American in Edinburg at 7:00 p.m.
