IRVINE, Calif. – With three minutes left to go, the New Mexico State men's basketball team scored nine of its final 11 points from the free-throw line and edged past UC Irvine 65-60 Thursday night at the Bren Events Center to cap off its nine-day road swing.
 
After a slow start to the game, New Mexico State reeled off 14-straight points to take the 18-5 lead over the home team before a free-throw from Evan Leonard ended the scoring drought that lasted 3:53 minutes.
 
The Aggies (12-3) saw their lead shrink to 25-19 at the 3:41 media timeout after shooting just 2-of-14 during a stretch that lasted 7:49 minutes, which allowed UCI to go on an 11-7 run. NM State continued to struggle from the field and allowed UCI to get within 26-24 of the Aggies at half thanks to a deep three from Eyassu Worku.
 
NM State's offense helped itself by converting 10 UCI (5-11) turnovers for 17 points. Unlike its usual self, the Aggies trailed the battle of the boards 28-18 at the break.
 
NM State was hot from floor to start the second-half, knocking down 9-of-12 from the floor for the 46-37 lead at the 11:12 media break. A 12-5 run then ensued for UC Irvine, which cut the Aggie lead down to 54-52 with 3:00 left on the clock.
 
After the Anteaters slow chipped away at the lead, a 3-pointer from Worku made it a one-possession game, 63-60. With 20 seconds left to go, AJ Harris shifted into fifth-gear and went coast-to-coast past all five UCI defenders – giving NM State the 65-60 cushion which stood final.
 
Lofton finished with six of his 17 points in the final three minutes at the charity stripe while Sidy N'Dir added 13 on 4-of-6 shooting. Eli Chuha added a dozen points while Jemerrio Jones collected his ninth double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds to go with four assists.
 
The Aggies are now 30-9 overall against UCI and 11-7 on the road against the Anteaters.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
NM State was out-rebounded for the first time since the Illinois game and just the fourth time this season…the six turnovers is a season-low for the Aggies, the previous low was eight against then-No. 21/22 Saint Mary's and then-No. 6/7 Miami…NM State is now 2-3 on the year after the win when opponents shoot at a higher percentage.
 
QOUTABLES
"We're thrilled with the road win. Winning on the road in college basketball is hard and this group continues to find ways to win. It's been a long and challenging road trip, but a successful one and we are looking forward to a well deserved break. I am going to enjoy watching the Aggies win a bowl game tomorrow!" --Aggie head coach Chris Jans

UP NEXT
New Mexico State finally gets to head home for some much needed rest after being on the road for nine days. The Aggies won't be able to get too comfortable as it prepares to head out to the Windy City to open Western Athletic Conference play against Chicago State on Saturday, Jan. 6, at 1 p.m. (MT) on the WAC Digital Network.