NMSU basketball makes CUSA Tournament, ends regular season with win
New Mexico State will play postseason basketball, and it's going into its next game on a high note.
The Aggies (15-15, 8-12 Conference USA) pulled out a 79-76 victory over Kennesaw State (18-13, 10-10) on Saturday, March 7, at home. NM State went 2-0 this week, which also included an overtime win over Jacksonville State on Thursday, March 5, meaning it reached the CUSA Tournament on its own without needing help from elsewhere.
Losses from Delaware and UTEP before the Aggies' game ended meant they secured a spot before their victory. But now NM State will head to Huntsville, Alabama, on a high note after two wins in as many games.
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NM State will be the No. 10 seed and face No. 7-seed Jax State in the tournament's first round at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, in Huntsville, AL. It will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Here are three takeaways from the Aggies' win over the Owls in their regular-season finale.
NM State goes on late offensive run
The Owls kept things close, but the Aggies made sure they never got out in front.
NM State made six of its final eight shots to keep its distance and hold onto its lead, including a 3-pointer from guard Anthony Wrzeszcz to start the run and a dunk from forward Julius Mims. The Aggies also scored 21 points in the final 7:41 of play to ensure they never trailed throughout that stretch.
An impressive play from NM State guard Elijah Elliott helped the Aggies close the game out up 77-76. He was triple-teamed by KSU players in a corner of NM State's side of the court as the clock ticked under 12 seconds, but he was able to get a pass out to Wrzeszcz, who found fellow guard Jayland Randall up the court. Randall was fouled attempting a one-handed dunk and made two free throws to hand the Aggies their margin of victory.
Aggies share the wealth
NM State didn't lean on one or two players to score on Saturday; it leaned on everyone.
Four Aggies scored at least 10 points, with guard Jemel Jones leading the way at 19 points. Randall came off the bench to score 16 points, while starters Julius Mims and Gabe Pickens each scored 11 points.
NM State also earned baskets from five other players, meaning nine of the 10 Aggies who took the floor on Saturday made at least one field goal. NM State shot 3-for-13 from 3-point range, but was efficient inside the arc and went 48.9% on 2-pointers.
Jones earns double-double
Usually, it's Aggies forward Julius Mims providing the rebounds for NM State. On Saturday, its primary scorer did it instead.
Jones ended with a team-high 12 rebounds to record his first double-double of the season. It's the most rebounds he's tallied in a game this season after coming close with nine against Adams State and South Alabama in earlier games.
Ten of Jones' rebounds came on defense. The Aggies tallied 43 rebounds as a team, out-rebounding the Owls by 14.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: New Mexico State basketball beats Kennesaw State, makes CUSA tournament
