LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State Aggies got great shooting in the second half and a smothering defense throughout the game to move all alone into the lead of the Western Athletic Conference by with a 70-50 win over Grand Canyon.
 
The Aggies (15-8, 7-1) are on a six-game winning streak. GCU (19-4, 6-2) has lost back-to-back games for the first time this season
 
"I'm very pleased with the outcome, pleased with the effort," said NM State head coach Marvin Menzies. "We played big boy basketball tonight. We executed at a high level offensively and played solidly on both sides of the ball."
 
The Aggies shot 54 percent from the floor, including 68.4 percent in the second half. NM State held GCU to 29.8 percent from the floor. The Aggies dominated the boards 44-26.
 
Sophomore power forward Pascal Siakam snared his NCAA leading 20th double-double with a game-high 17 points and 16 rebounds with three assists and two blocks. The 16 boards equaled the second-most in a game this season for the 6-9 phenom from Douala, Cameroon, who was named to one of the final 10 for the Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Award by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
 
Junior Ian Baker tallied 13 points with seven rebounds and four assists for the Aggies, while Johnathon Wilkins added 12 points.
 
The 'Lopes got 12 points each from guards Joshua Braun and DeWayne Russell.
 
GCU answered an early NM State lead with a 13-4 run. The 'Lopes extended their lead to six at 23-17 with 7:30 to play when the Aggies turned up their defensive play. NM State allowed GCU just four points over the next three minutes, then shut out the 'Lopes over the final 4:25 of the first half during a 15-4 run.
 
In the second half, the Aggie defensive intensity increased. NM State held GCU to just 24.1 percent from shooting from the floor in the half.
 
NM State put the game away with a 12-2 run midway through the frame to build a double-digit lead, then made it a 20-point affair with a 10-2 run in the last five minutes.
 
"It was a great effort by all of our guys that came off the bench," said Menzies. "It was a great team effort."
 
The Aggies don't have long to enjoy the victory as they host Utah Valley on Saturday night. The Wolverines beat UT Rio Grande Valley 88-77 on Thursday. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Pan American Center.