LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico State sophomore guard Hernst Laroche hit a jumper from the free throw line with 1.1 seconds left to lift NMSU to a 70-68 victory over Louisiana Tech on Monday at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces, N.M.
With the game tied at 68-68, Aggies guard Jahmar Young missed a jumper from the top of the key, but the rebound found its way to Laroche, who hit a 15-footer from straight away.
NMSU (15-8, 8-2 Western Athletic) swept the regular season series against the Bulldogs (19-5, 7-3).
Trailing by 17 with under 10 minutes to play, Louisiana Tech tied the game at 68-68 on back-to-back 3-pointers from Jamel Guyton. The second came with 35.5 seconds left to play.
NMSU outscored Louisiana Tech 20-4 to take a 60-43 lead with 9:33 left to play. The Aggies connected four times from 3-point range during the run and shot 8 of 18 for the game from beyond the arc.
Young led the Aggies with 20 points and Troy Gillenwater added 19.
Magnum Rolle led Louisiana Tech with 18 points, Gibson had 16 and DeAndre Brown scored 15.
Both teams had big runs in the first half.
NMSU went scoreless for nearly seven minutes in the first half as Louisiana Tech went up 26-11 with 8:11 to play. Louisiana Tech outscored NMSU 14-0 during the stretch.
The Aggies tied the game at 33-33 at halftime, outscoring Louisiana Tech 18-5 in the last 6:28 of the first half.
Courtesy: Tim Barnett-Queen
