LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State Aggies went 6-for-6 from the foul line down the stretch to hold on for their second Western Athletic Conference win of the season with a 65-64 win over Missouri-Kansas City Wednesday night at the Pan American Center.
 
The Aggies (10-8, 2-1) won their 29th straight WAC game at the Pan American Center, while UMKC (8-10, 1-2) lost for the sixth time in seven games.
 
The game was a distinct tale of two halves for the two teams.
 
The Aggies led 35-16 at halftime, while UMKC outscored NM State 48-30 in the second half. It was the fewest points allowed in a half this season by the Aggies in the first, and the most allowed in a half in the second. Likewise for the Kangaroos it was their worst scoring half of the year, followed by their best scoring half.
 
The game was actually won when UMKC's Dashawn King drove coast-to-coast for a slam-dunk at the buzzer, instead of attempting a potential game-tying 3-pointer.
 
"We won the game and we need to remember that," said NM State head coach Marvin Menzies. "You have to have a big picture mentality. We won with Ian (Baker) and Pascal (Siakam) having a bad second half. And in winning time we did what we needed to do. We won the game."
 
The Aggies were led by Baker with 16 points and seven rebounds, while Siakam chalked up his NCAA leading 16th double-double with his lowest scoring output of the year of 10 points and 15 rebounds. Johnathon Wilkins added a career-high tying 12 points.
 
Siakam also blocked four shots, collecting his 99th career block, moving to seventh on the NM State career by passing Johnny Roberson (1986-89) with 98.
 
UMKC's Martez Harrison led all scorers with 23 points, while Darius Austin scored 10.
 
The Aggies opened the game on an 18-6 run and appeared to have the game well in control, opening up a 19-point lead at the half.
 
NM State got the first five points in the second half, going up by 24 at 40-16 on Jalyn Pennie's 3-pointer with 18:55 to play.
 
But the 'Roos chipped away at the Aggie lead to trail by 15 at 55-40 with 9:24 to play, then turned on the offense.
 
UMKC got a jumper from Harrison, followed by a 3-pointer from forward Shayok Shayok that ignited a 19-4 run to tie the game with 4:06 to play when Austin completed a layup and free throw traditional 3-point play.
 
The Aggies didn't let the 'Roos ever take the lead, however, when Siakam hit a pair of free throws to retake the lead that they wouldn't relinquish.
 
"While there are several different subplots, when it came down to it we win the game, we keep our streak alive and we have another home game on Saturday," said Menzies. "We take it one game, one play at a time."
 
The Aggies have quick turnaround to face Chicago State on Saturday night at the Pan American Center. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. CSU lost at UT Rio Grande Valley 82-72 on Thursday.