The New Mexico State University men’s basketball team traveled just 45 minutes to play their first Division I school of the year; I-10 rivals. NM State entered the Don Haskins Center fired up, but a whopping 20 turnovers on the night would plague this Heiar campaign. 

“I’m just disappointed in our effort tonight, I thought they outplayed us. Going into the game, we talked about how we had to take care of the ball and we had to rebound the basketball and we were just way too loose with the basketball.” said Coach Heiar.

A notable performance from Xavier Pinson finishing with 20 points. Deshawndre Washington also proved to be a major contributor with 18 points and 12 boards to record a double-double a game after recording a triple-double. Bench production proved to be another factor with the Miners having that advantage with 24 bench points, as opposed to the Aggies 10.  

Despite taking a lead right out of the gate after winning the tip off and turning it into a Pinson-Muhammad alley-oop. This would be short lived as UTEP would score seven straights to jump to a six-point play. Looking to go into the halftime with some momentum after an Avery three, UTEP would continue to assert their dominance scoring back-to-back baskets in the final 12 seconds of the half.  

There would be a glimpse of home for the Aggies at the four-minute mark only for Washington to foul out for the last 3 minutes of the game. Two waisted chances to tie from Pinson and Muhammad would result in a gut-wrenching 67-64 win. 

The Aggies will travel down I-25 to take on New Mexico next week to play at The Pit at 5 p.m. This Greg Heiar campaign will have one week of preparation, as they hopefully work out their turnover deficit.