LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Backed by four players in double-figures, the New Mexico State men's basketball team powered past in-state foe Eastern New Mexico with ease, 84-50, on Tuesday for Canada Night in the Pan American Center.
 
New Mexico State (12-2) stunned ENMU out of the gates with a suffocating defense that it used to go on a 20-2 run. Eastern New Mexico was held without a field goal for 10:32 minutes as NM State took a 45-28 lead into the break.

The Aggies assisted on 11 of its 16 made field goals in the opening stanza and outscored the Greyhounds 22-14 in the paint. NM State also relied on its 10 offensive boards, which gave it a 14-6 edge in second-chance points.
 
Eastern New Mexico (5-9, 0-4 LSC) chipped away in the opening half of the second stanza and cut the lead down to 13 points with 13:54 to go in the game after Joe Clark hit a short jumper by the far block. However, New Mexico State answered with a huge 18-0 run that lasted for 5:01 minutes and also gave the Aggies their largest lead of the game – 78-41.
 
Braxton Huggins scored 10 of his 15 points in the second half, hitting two from downtown along with four from the charity stripe. Ian Baker wrapped up his night with 18 points, five boards and three assists on 4-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc.  Eli Chuha almost picked up his sixth double-double of the year, but settled for 16 points and nine boards.
 
Matt Taylor chipped in with 12 points of his own while Johnathon Wilkins pulled down a career-high nine boards to go with his four points. Jemerrio Jones filled up the stat line with seven points, eight boards and five assists with a steal.
 
The Aggies wrap up their three-game homestand with Battle of I-10 rival UTEP this Friday, Dec. 30, with a 7 p.m. tip. In addition, New Mexico State will be unveiling its new "Los Aggies" jerseys in conjunction with the Las Cruces Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Hispanic Heritage Night promotion.