LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State Aggies used a 15-2 run coming down the stretch to put away CSU Bakersfield on the way to a 63-55 win Thursday night at the Pan American Center.
 
The Aggies (19-9, 10-1) won their 34th consecutive WAC home game, extending the nation's second-longest conference home court winning streak. The 'Runners (19-8, 12-3) saw their four-game winning streak come to an end.
 
"It was an interesting game," said NM State head coach Marvin Menzies. "I don't think either team was very effective offensively. Luckily they were less effective than we were, and that was a direct result of our defense."
 
The Aggies shot only 33 percent from the floor (17-of-51), but they held CSUB to just 28 percent from the floor (18-of-64). NM State also nailed 6-of-18 from the 3-point arc (33 percent), while holding the 'Runners to only 3-of-18 (17 percent) from the arc. The Aggies also outrebounded CSUB 45-40.
 
Junior Ian Baker led the way for NM State, scoring a game-high 16 points to go with eight rebounds. Sophomore Braxton Huggins collected 12 points, while Matt Taylor added 11 points with six boards before fouling out with 5:07 to play.
 
Sophomore Pascal Siakam was held to a career-low five points, with only one field goal. But he grabbed 12 rebounds and set a new career-high with seven blocked shots that was one off the single-game school record.
 
NM State and CSU Bakersfield each had runs in the first half, with the 'Runners 11-3 run in the last 5:30 of the first half sending them into the half with a 25-23 lead.
 
The Aggies came back in the second frame with a 7-0 run to retake the lead, only to have Bakersfield answer it and retake the lead. But the best for the Aggies was to come.
 
Trailing 39-36 with 9:03 to play, NM State got a layup and free throw from Jalyn Pennie to tie the game and start a 15-2 run. A layup by Damiyne Durham with 8:38 to go gave CSUB the lead at 41-39, but it would be last scoring by the 'Runners for the next six minutes.
 
That's when the combination of Baker and Huggins took command. Baker got a free throw and 3-pointer to give NM State the lead.
 
Huggins, a native of Bakersfield, followed with a pair of 3-pointers and a pair of free throws that gave the Aggies a 12-0 run, a 10-point lead at 51-41 with 2:59 to go and control of the game.
 
"We had a phenominal defensive output and we made buckets when we needed to," said Menzies. "When we got into winning time and Braxton hit those 3's those are back breakers from the hometown boy. Those are critical shots for us."
 
CSU Bakersfield was paced by Kevin Mays with 13 points and nine rebounds, while Brent Wrapp added 11 points and seven boards. Jaylin Airington added nine points with eight boards when he fouled out with 28.5 seconds remaining.
 
The win gives the Aggies a sweep of the regular season series with CSUB puts NM State up two games with three to play for the No. 1 seed in the WAC Tournament. The Aggies remain one game ahead of Grand Canyon, who is ineligible for the tournament, in the race for the WAC regular season crown.
 
NM State hosts its final home game of the regular season on Saturday when Seattle visits the Pan American Center. It's US Bank/NM State Athletic Hall of Fame night. The Class of 2016, featuring baseball's Billy Becher along with volleyball's Stevi Adams Maytubby and Kim Oguh Nield, will be inducted at halftime. Tipoff Saturday is at 7 p.m.