DENVER – NM State men's basketball senior Ian Baker was named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week Monday morning by the conference. Baker willed the Aggies to a huge 84-71 win over in-state rival New Mexico this past Saturday with a game-high 26 points.
 
This is the first weekly honor for both Baker and NM State this season after the Washington, D.C., native tied his career-high in points (26) on 8-of-16 shooting, including 6-of-7 from the line, against UNM. The win on Saturday snapped a five-game skid against the Lobos and gave NM State its first victory over New Mexico at home in nine years.
 
Baker helped NM State get out to an explosive start to the game with 13 first-half points as the Aggies headed into the locker room with a 43-26 lead at the break behind a 17-2 run. He poured in another 13 points in the second stanza and finished with four steals, three assists and three rebounds.
 
Rivalry week continues for New Mexico State as it heads down I-10 to face UTEP on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m.