LAS CRUCES, N.M. (March 5)-In his last game in the Pan American Center, senior guard Gordo Castillo recorded his first career double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds to lift the New Mexico State men’s basketball team to a 77-68 win over Nevada.

Junior forward Troy Gillenwater paced the Aggies (15-16, 9-7 WAC) with a game-high 21 points in the regular season finale, which was also a fight for No. 3 seed and first round bye in the WAC Tournament.

Freshman center Tshilidzi Nephawe and freshman guard Christian Kabongo were also in double-figures with 10 points each.

The Aggies trailed Nevada, 36-35, at halftime after a balanced offensive effort. Gillenwater led the way with nine points. Sophomore forward Tyrone Watson scored seven points, and Castillo had six.

In the second half, NM State claimed its first lead with a pair of Nephawe free throws less then two minutes into the period. The Aggies then built a five-point lead, 44-39, with two more free throws from Nephawe at 17:10.

Nevada answered and had a seven-point advantage, 58-51, with 10:42 to play. The Aggies rallied with a 9-2 run to regain the lead, 63-62, when Kabongo hit two free throws at the 5:53 mark.

The Aggies travel to Las Vegas, Nev., for the 2011 WAC Tournament, March 9-12, looking to defend their crown. NM State plays in the quarterfinals against the winner of the No. 6 seed-No. 7 seed game, Thursday, March 10 at 3:30 p.m. on ESPNU.