New Mexico State’s men’s basketball team trounced UTEP the last time it played in El Paso, TX. This season, the MIners got sweet revenge.
The Aggies (11-12, 4-9 Conference USA) suffered a crushing 91-88 defeat against the Miners (9-15, 5-8) on Saturday, Feb. 7. It was a contest with plenty of intrigue and moments, featuring scoring runs, a late rally from UTEP and a second-half benches-clearing confrontation fit for a rivalry game.
The Aggies led for most of the game, but the Miners wouldn’t go away quietly. UTEP tied the game at 68-68 with 2:32 to go on a Caleb Blackwell 2-point swish after trailing by double-digits at multiple points of the second half. NM State guard Jemel Jones responded with two crucial jumpers over the next 1:25 of play to give the visitors a 72-68 lead.
A free throw got the Miners within one point, and UTEP forward Kaseem Watson nailed the 3-pointer his team needed after pump-faking NM State guard Gabe Pickens to earn some space after the Aggies chose not to intentionally foul. The Buffalo Wild Wings overtime button was pressed, and it was 72-72.
And in overtime, the Miners got the better of their rivals. The Aggies were able to keep things interesting and cut their deficit to 89-88 with 2.5 seconds left on a 3-pointer from Jones, but their efforts weren’t enough to save them.
With both teams having 4-8 conference records and sitting near the bottom of Conference USA’s standings heading into Saturday, the game was important for both teams’ chances of qualifying for March’s conference tournament. The Miners have the advantage, for now at least, and will face the Aggies again on Feb. 21 in Las Cruces.
NM State next plays Liberty at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at home.
Here are three more takeaways from the defeat:
Tempers flare in the second half
A benches-clearing exchange took place at the 11:45 mark of the second half.
After NM State guard Elijah Elliott committed a turnover by losing the ball out of bounds, Aggies guard Anthony Wrzeszcz and Watson exchanged words on NM State’s side of the court. Watson then pushed Wrzeszcz, prompting players from both teams to join the scuffle.
NM State coach Jason Hooten and UTEP coach Joe Golding also had words for each other after their players confronted each other, although it didn’t appear to be a hostile conversation.
Coaches and referees were able to separate the Aggies and Miners and return them to their respective benches. Watson and Wrzeszcz both received technical fouls in the aftermath.
First-half run helps Aggies build advantage
The Aggies and Miners went back and forth to start and were deadlocked at 16-16 after nine minutes played. Then NM State arose.
The Aggies went on a 15-3 run to take a 31-19 lead with 5:13 until halftime. Wrzeszcz contributed to nine of the 15 points with three of his four total 3-pointers. The Aggies later extended their lead to 35-21 at the 3:45 mark for their largest lead of the game.
NM State also forced plenty of missed shots on defense before halftime. UTEP shot 34.3% from the field and 25% from 3-point range in the first half.
Aggies squander victory in second half
It’s about how you finish, and NM State didn’t finish well.
The Aggies went on a five-minute, 57-second-long streak in the second half without making a field goal, only ending it when UTEP put them under pressure in the final few minutes. Poor defense and a missed potential game-winner from Jones in the final seconds allowed UTEP to tie and force overtime.
Then the wheels fell off.
The Miners outscored the Aggies 19-16 in overtime while shooting 60% from the field on a 3-for-5 mark. NM State managed a 54.5% overtime shooting mark and made five of its last six field goals, but couldn’t play enough defense and were forced into intentionally fouling in the final moments, leading to more points for UTEP.
