NMSU gets defensive in home win over @UNC_BearsMBB

Monday, December 17

Las Cruces, N.M.

7pm

University of Northern Colorado

6-3

New Mexico State

8-2

Northern Colo.

New Mexico St.

UNC will look to start a new winning streak when they take on Rider in Las Vegas.

12/17/2018 9:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: Ryan Ronan

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – After trailing by as many as 17, Northern Colorado cut the New Mexico State lead to just eight on multiple occasions in the second half. Unfortunately for the Bears, they were never able to get any closer. Although UNC didn't allow NMSU to make a shot from the field in the final 5:42, UNC closed the game on a five-minute scoring drought that allowed the Aggies to close out a 74-62 win.

After being down nearly 20 to a team that has made seven-straight NCAA Tournament appearances, the Bears slowly chipped away to start the final 20 minutes decreasing the deficit at every media timeout. On multiple occasions UNC whittled he lead down to eight, but the Bears couldn't manage to get within two-possessions.

NMSU came into the game Monday night allowing just over 70 points per game, and they put that defense to work when it counted. The Aggie offense didn't make a FG for nearly six minutes to end the game and only shot 25 percent from behind the arc for the night.

UNC was held to just five three-point makes for the second consecutive game after starting the road trip averaging nearly 13 a game. Jonah Radebaugh and Sam Masten reached double figures for UNC, but the Bears' normally balanced scoring attack was thrown off for the third time this season.

BREAKING OUT OF THE BOX SCORE
-    Jordan Davis led the Bears in scoring for the ninth time this season finishing with 20.
-    Radebaugh and Masten each finished with 10.
-    After not being out rebounded all season, the Bears have failed to grab more boards than their last two opponents.

SIZING UP THE OPPONENT
-    New Mexico State has won the Western Athletic Conference seven-straight seasons.
-    The Aggies have only lost two home games the past three seasons and one of those came to San Diego in 2017-18.

SCHEDULE SAYS
After playing two games in 48 hours, UNC will get a few days off before they head to Las Vegas (the hometown of Davis) on Saturday to take on Rider University.