Thursday night's game at the Pan American Center was a dominant showcase for New Mexico State men's basketball as they cruised to an 87-50 win over Northern New Mexico. The Aggies executed a strong performance that pushed their record to 2-0 against non-division one opponents this season. In a robust team effort, five NMSU players hit double figures, with Chris Cook and Rob Carpenter each notching 13 points to lead the scoring.
During a particularly explosive stretch in the second half, NMSU ignited a 21-9 run over just eight minutes. By executing another commanding spurt in the game, various Aggies contributed to the scoreboard onslaught, solidifying the team's lead. According to KTSM, Dionte Bostick alongside Peter Filipovity added 12 points each, and Zawdie Jackson tallied 10 points, showcasing NMSU's depth.
In addition to the offensive firepower, NM State also celebrated the return of a couple of players to the court. Christopher Biekeu stepped onto the hardwood after recovering from a season-ending injury in the previous year. Azavier Johnson also made his NM State debut, marking his first appearance for the team at the close of the game.
Turning to a well-deserved Christmas break, the Aggies will regroup and prepare for their next challenge against the University of the Southwest on December 28. Winning their first streak of games since the start of the season, with the panache of a rookie flying high, Azavier Johnson made his NM State debut during the latter part of the contest. As reported by NM State Sports, this matchup will be the final non-conference game before the Aggies head into conference play, adding extra incentive to finish the year strong.
Soaring over the Eagles, the Aggies dominated play for a majority of the game, having led for nearly the entire first half. With the home crowd behind them, NMSU took control early on and never looked back. Moving forward, NM State's performance on Thursday night suggested a team that's finding its rhythm at just the right moment as the more challenging conference battles loom on the horizon.
