LAS CRUCES, N.M. - It's official: the Aggies are back.

Tuesday night, for the first time since March 5, 2020, the NM State men's basketball team hosted an event inside the venerable Pan American Center as the Aggies welcomed fans in for their Crimson & White Scrimmage.

"We don't play any games or exhibitions inside this building before opening night, so there were a number of reasons why we put on this event tonight," remarked NM State head coach Chris Jans. "It wasn't a gameday, but it felt like a little bit of a gameday and it was nice to have that feeling again and to see fans in the stands."

NM State split up into two squads and played a single 20-minute half. In order to simulate a live game feel, officials and media timeouts were used.

For the NM State faithful, it gave them a chance to get their first glimpse of an Aggie team which features just five holdovers from the 2020-21 campaign. Players such as Teddy Allen, Marsei Caston, Marchelus Avery and others made their respective NM State debuts.

All of the proceeds from the ticket sales for Tuesday's Crimson & White Scrimmage went to the Aggies' Youth Ticket Program. The program distributes tickets to various Aggie athletics events to youth in and around the Las Cruces area.

For complete coverage of NM State men's basketball as the Aggies continue to prepare for the 2021-22 season, visit NMStateSports.com - the official home of Aggie athletics - and follow the Aggies on Facebook (NM State Men's Basketball), Twitter (@NMStateMBB) and Instagram (@NMStateMBB).

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