Kansas City
New Mexico State
Aggies Prevail with Inside Game, Snap 'Roos Home Streak, 77-63
2/7/2015 9:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball
(Kansas City, Mo.) - New Mexico State used a huge advantage on the glass to snap the UMKC four-game home win streak on Saturday, and remain in first place in the WAC standings with a 77-63 victory in front of nearly 3,000 at Municipal Auditorium.
(Kansas City, Mo.) – New Mexico State used a huge advantage on the glass to snap the UMKC four-game home win streak on Saturday, and remain in first place in the WAC standings with a 77-63 victory in front of nearly 3,000 at Municipal Auditorium.
“We knew their size and athleticism would be a problem for us tonight,” Head Coach Kareem Richardson said. “There are a lot of games left, and after Thursday we told our guys this wasn't going to make or break our season, win or lose. The crowd tonight was great, it gave us a lot of energy, and we really appreciate the support.”
The teams went blow for blow in the opening half, with UMKC (10-15, 5-3 WAC) pulling out of an early deadlock thanks to some good outside shooting. Senior Frank Williams hit his first three shots from beyond the arc, including one at the 7:52 mark that put the 'Roos up by a 22-15 margin. He followed with another three a few possessions later to answer an NMSU (15-10, 7-1 WAC) bucket, making it an eight-point lead, the largest of the night with 6:37 to play.
That's when the Aggies started getting to the line after getting in the bonus and pounding it inside. They got to the line 15 times in the half, and hit 14 of them. UMKC on the other hand, had only one free throw. By the 4:28 mark, it was tied at 25, and from that point on, they traded buckets and went into the break tied at 34.
Both teams shot better than 50 percent in the period, but NMSU held the advantage on the glass, taking a 14-7 rebound edge. Senior Reese Holliday kept the 'Roos in the hunt despite that, scoring 10 first period points.
The first 10 minutes of the second half was pretty much the same, with the two teams playing shot for shot. The Aggies did a better job against the UMKC press though, and started to wear the 'Roos down on the glass and inside. An 8-0 run that broke a 47-47 tie was the difference, as the Aggies never let UMKC back in it.
NMSU was up by six with 5:40 to play, and pushed it out of reach over the next two minutes, getting it up to 14 with three minutes left.
The 'Roos were paced by Martez Harrison, who scored 13 of his 19 points in the second half. He also dished out five assists on the night. Holliday finished with 15 points as well. NMSU hit 25-of-29 free throws in the game, while UMKC was 10-of-17. Both teams shot well from the floor at 49 (UMKC) and 53 percent, but NMSU had 16 second chance points, compared to two for the 'Roos.
The 'Roos will head to Chicago State next Saturday for a 2:05 p.m. contest, televised on KSMO in Kansas City.
