LAS CRUCES, N.M.-The New Mexico State men’s basketball team concluded preseason play with a 110-63 win over Western New Mexico, Thursday, Nov. 6 at the Pan American Center. Junior guard Jonathan Gibson had a game-high 25 points and sophomore guard Jahmar Young added 22 points.
The Aggies had five players in double-digits with freshman forward Troy Gillenwater supplying a double-double consisting of 13 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore guard Gordo Castillo tallied 12 points and freshman center Hamidu Rahman added 10 points.
NMSU was impressive offensively with a 57.1 field goal percentage and 52.4 3-point field goal percentage.
“I was happy with the energy level and concentration early,” head coach Marvin Menzies said. “A lot of good things came out of this game that we just have to continue to build on it.”
The Aggies shared the ball and had 20 assists in the game with both Castillo and freshman guard Hernst Laroche collecting five. NMSU also had 14 blocks with both Gillenwater and Rahman recording four rejections.
In the first half, the Aggies shot the ball well with 50 percent from both the field and 3-point line to take a 59-28 lead into the break. NMSU also had a 92.9 free-throw percentage.
Gibson led all scorers with 19 points while Young and Gillenwater contributed to the offense with 15 and 11 points, respectively. NMSU out-rebounded the Mustangs 33-20 with Gillenwater leading the way with seven.
The Aggies host UC Riverside, Saturday, Nov. 15 at 1:00 p.m., at the Pan American Center for the 2008-09 season opener.
Courtesy: Tim Barnett-Queen
