LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) -- It was like old times for the New Mexico

State Aggies. They were winning, the fans were cheering and former

coach Lou Henson was back on the bench.

In their regular season finale, the Aggies snapped a 10-game

losing streak with a 78-61 win over Texas-Pan American on Tuesday

night.

In a season littered with many losses, perhaps the team's

biggest loss was when Henson retired in January after battling an

illness. Henson, the sixth all-time winningest coach in Division I

with 779 career victories, returned to the bench Tuesday night as a

guest.

While he wasn't there to coach, he apparently couldn't resist.

"It was a big emotional lift for us," said senior Allen

Haynes. "He actually drew up a couple of plays for us."

Henson and his wife, Mary, were honored by NMSU in a ceremony

before the game. Television cameras circled around him at midcourt

as he was presented a jersey by the Aggie players. He received a

standing ovation before stepping out of his wheelchair to address

the players before the tip-off.

"It was good to have Coach Henson back on the bench," said

interim coach Tony Stubblefield. "He just told the team to keep

working hard. He's been very supportive."

Haynes, a 6-2 guard from Hobbs, scored a season-high 19 points

to lead the Aggies (6-23). He hit three 3-pointers and had several

key baskets down the stretch.

"I just had to come out and perform," he said. "I've

struggled this year, but tonight my parents were here and I wanted

them to see the old player. We had fun tonight and it showed."

The Aggies trailed early but began to take control midway

through the first half. NMSU led by as many as 13 points before the

Broncs (12-16) cut the deficit to 37-29 at halftime.

Texas-Pan American narrowed the gap to five early in the second

half, 42-37, before center Trevor Lawrence sparked an 18-6 run to

put the Aggies up by 17 with 8:06 to play.

The closest the Broncs could get the rest of the way was 66-57

with 2:41 to play.

"We're the type of team that needs to get transition points, so

that helped us and defensively we played pretty solid,"

Stubblefield said. "The guys played well and had some fun. Nothing

helps your confidence like winning."

Lawrence finished with 18 points for NMSU, while Duane John

added 14.

Sergio Sanchez led the Broncs with 16 points, followed by Ray

Castillo with 10.