LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Good things come to those who wait, and Shakiru Odunewu was tired of being patient. The Redshirt freshman from Rhode Island spent last season honing his craft on the bench behind now-Assistant Coach Johnny McCants, but tonight he put on a show for the Aggie faithful in the Pan American Center. Fueled by a career-high 23 points, ten rebounds and three blocks from Odunewu, NM State (4-2, 0-0 WAC) defeated Simon Fraser (3-5, 0-1 GNAC) 77-35.
 
The Aggies featured a balanced scoring attack, with Odunewu and Kyle Feit (16) finishing the night as the only players to score in double figures, while Deshawndre Washington had another impressive all-around performance - chipping in with eight points, nine rebounds and five assists. DaJuan Gordon also turned in an eight-point, six-rebound effort on the night.
 
As a team, the Aggies shot 40% (30-75) from the field while limiting Simon Fraser to just a 21% (12-57) success rate. The Red Leafs also committed 19 turnovers that the Aggies flipped into 23 points. NM State also dominated the paint – outrebounding Simon Fraser 53-33.
 
FIRST HALF

• After Issa Muhammad corralled the opening tip James Beck got the scoring started with a two-handed power dunk, leading the charge on a 7-0 run to begin the game.
• DaJuan Quaye Gordon hit the first Aggie triple of the night from the left wing to make it a 10-4 ballgame with 15:17 remaining in the first half.
• Both teams appeared to have a case of the Mondays with points coming at a premium, combining for only 17 points through the first eight minutes of action – leaving the Aggies with an 11-6 lead.
• Xavier Pinson put himself on the scoreboard for the first time with a three buried a three out of the under-12 timeout to put the Aggies up double-digits (16-6), but Jahmal Wright of Simon Fraser hit a jumper on the ensuing possession to cut it back to eight.
• Coming off two straight games of 20+ points, Anthony Roy knocked down an open three to put NM State ahead 24-9.
• Shakiru Odunewu put together back-to-back baskets, the second being a power jam through contact to go up 30-13.
• Playing a balanced offense in the first half, a total of eight Aggies scored in the first twenty minutes led by Kyle Feit and Odunewu with seven points apiece.

 
SECOND HALF

• After holding the Red Leafs without a made three-pointer in the first half, SFU knocked down its first triple of the game just after the 19-minute mark in the second half.
• The Red Leafs' success would be short-lived as the Aggies came swinging back with a 13-0 run, led by eight from Odunewu.
• Doctor Bradley also got going early in the second period as all six of his points came in the first 10 minutes of the latter portion of the game.
• The Aggies would eventually conclude the tilt on a 6-0 run while limiting the Red Leafs scoreless during the final 3:13 of play to earn a 42-point win.