EL PASO, Texas. – Led by a career-high 26 points by junior Ian Baker, the New Mexico State Aggies swept the I-10 Rivalry series with a 73-53 triumph over the UTEP Miners at the Don Haskins Center on Saturday night.
 
The Aggies (6-5) got their first non-conference road victory since Dec. 17, 2013, when they beat New Mexico 67-61 at The Pit. The Miners (6-4) lost their fourth straight, including two to the Aggies.
 
"I am ecstatic with this win," said NM State Coach Marvin Menzies. "We played together as a team and stuck together when UTEP made its run in the first half. I'm really proud of our guys."
 
It was Baker that shined the brightest for the Aggies.
 
After suffering a neck injury on Wednesday at New Mexico, Baker was cleared to play against the Miners at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The junior guard from Washington, D.C., hit 6-of-7 from the 3-point arc on his way to his career-high of 26.
 
"My mom was in town from D.C. tonight, and I just wanted to give her something to remember while she was here," said Baker. "So that was kinda in the back of my mind the whole time, but at the same time I wanted to give us a second win against UTEP and at least sweep our other rivalry series. You know 2-2 doesn't look as bad as 1-3."
 
"Ian played great," said Menzies. "I wasn't sure we were going to have him, but his ability to bounce back and give his mother that kind of performance tonight was inspirational for the guys."
 
But Baker wasn't the only Aggie to record or equal career-highs.
 
Sophomore Jalyn Pennie scored 14 points with four 3-pointers, while Matt Taylor posted nine points with eight assists for career-bests.
 
Sophomore Pascal Siakam scored 14 points with 10 rebounds for his ninth double-double of the season.
 
The Aggies lead nearly the entire game.
 
NM State jumped out to a 14-0 lead early in the game, only to have UTEP rally late in the half behind the performance of Miner Omega Harris who capped a 16-5 run with a 3-pointer with 57 seconds left in the half for the Miners only lead at 31-29.
 
But Baker gave the Aggies the intermission lead with a triple with 35 seconds remain for a 32-31 advantage.
 
The teams battled through the first three-and-a half minutes of the second half even, with the Aggies holding 38-37 lead.
 
But Baker answered with a back-to-back 3-pointers to start a 24-10 run over the next 10 minutes and put the Miners away for good.
 
Harris led UTEP with 23 points, the only Miner with double figures in scoring.
 
The Aggies held the Miners to just 53 points, the fewest UTEP has scored this season, down from the 59 they Miners scored against NM State two weeks ago in Las Cruces.
 
The Aggies don't have much time to celebrate the victory as they host Oral Roberts on Monday night at 7 p.m. in the Pan American Center. ORU comes to the Pan Am after losing at LSU 100-77 on Saturday afternoon.