LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP)-New Mexico guard Phillip McDonald scored a career-high 27 points to lead the Lobos to a 97-87 victory over New Mexico State on Tuesday at the Pan American Center.
McDonald hit 8-of-15 from the field as the Lobos were 12-of-26 from 3-point range and Roman Martinez chipped in with 24 points to move the Lobos to 2-0 on the season.
The Aggies (0-2) trailed by as many as 18 in the second half before the Aggies outscored UNM 30-15 to open the second half and Hernst Laroche gave the Aggies their first lead since the 18:53 mark of the first half at 68-67 with a pair of free throws with 10:34 to play. Jahmar Young followed with one of the Aggies’ 10 3-pointers as NMSU shot 41.2 percent in the second half.
Darington Hobson hit a pair of free throws that gave the Lobos the lead for good at 75-73 with 8:21 left to play.
The Lobos (2-0) now lead the series 109-94 after their 97-87 victory.
UNM shot 64.5 percent from the field in the first half and led 52-36 at halftime, which was a Lobos record for points in a first half under head coach Steve Alford.
Young led NMSU with 26 points, scoring 22 in the second half.
The Lobos return to Albuquerque to take on Nicholls State on Thursday. NMSU plays host to Oklahoma Panhandle State on Saturday.
Courtesy: Tim Barnett-Queen
