LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State Aggies jumped out to an early 10-point lead, then used a historical performance by super sophomore Pascal Siakam to take the first game of the I-10 Rivalry, beating UTEP 73-59 at the Pan American Center on Wednesday night.
 
The Aggies (5-2) scored the first 10 points of the game, extending it to a 15-2 run over the first five minutes to hand the Miners (6-1) their first loss of the season.
 
Siakam, who scored the first points of the game on a put-back layup, led all scorers with 24 points and a career-high 23 rebounds, his sixth double-double of the season. The 23 rebounds rank seventh in a single game in NM State history and are the most since Chris Jackson grabbed 23 at North Texas on Feb. 1, 2003.
 
It was also the most boards by a Western Athletic Conference player since Louisiana Tech's Paul Millsap pulled down 28 against San Jose State on Feb. 15, 2006.
 
NM State also got a career-high 22 points from junior Ian Baker to go with three assists and three steals.
 
"I was very excited about the play of our guys," said NM State head coach Marvin Menzies. "They played with a lot of passion, and they executed at a high level. I thought our defense was really stellar tonight."
 
"He did a good job of handing the double team and fortunately hit some 3's early and weathered the storm," said Menzies of Siakam's play. "We found some places on the floor for him to catch so that he could be himself. He's a great character and we're really, really happy to have him."
 
The Aggies did see the Miners make several runs at them, as UTEP pulled within four points four times in the contest. But the Aggie defensive effort forced turnovers on three of the four occasions and cashed in on the offensive side.
 
NM State held the Miners to a season-low 40.7 percent shooting from the floor, while connecting on 43.3 percent themselves.
 
But led by Siakam, NM State outrebounded UTEP 50-27, dominating the glass on both ends.
 
"Our guards played well tonight," said Menzies. "Their guards are really good, great one-on-one players. Our guys did a good job defensively and offensively they were very effective."
 
As part of his 22 points, Baker tied a career-high with five 3-pointers, while sophomore Matt Taylor nearly double-doubled with nine points and nine rebounds. Taylor's spinning 360-degree dunk with 14:23 left the second half was also a highlight of the night.
 
As for Siakam, you could say that he double double-doubled as he had 12 points and 12 rebounds in the first half and 12 points and 11 boards in the second.
 
The Miners were paced by Dominic Artis who posted 14 points with five rebounds and five assists. Lee Moore added 12 points and Earvin Morris chalked up 11 for UTEP who came into the game receiving votes in both the AP and USA Today polls.
 
NM State doesn't have long to savor the victory in the rivalry as the Aggies visit Long Beach State on Saturday afternoon. Tipoff at the Walter Pyramid is set for 5 p.m. Mountain.