LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The NM State men's basketball team took down Battle of I-10 rival UTEP, 96-69, Friday night at the Pan American Center.
 
The Aggies improved to 2-0 on the season and won their eighth-straight against the Miners. UTEP has yet to beat the Aggies at the Pan American center since 2010.
 
UTEP got off to an 18-9 start before NM State went on a 14-9 run to cut the Miner lead to 27-23 with 8:02 left in the first half.
 
NM State kept up the pressure and tied it up 33-33 with 4:09 remaining in the opening half.
 
The Aggies ended the first half on a 10-6 run and led at halftime, 43-39.
 
UTEP didn't have an answer as NM State got off to a hot start in the second half and increased its lead to 59-45 after an 8-0 run.
 
A 3-point shot from Jabari Rice extended the Aggies lead to 82-62 with less than four minutes left in the game.
 
The Aggies put the game out of reach by finishing strong on a 14-7 run.
 
NM State will look to continue its unbeaten season when it hosts St. Mary's on Wednesday at 7 p.m.