New Mexico State cruises to 77-63 win over UMKC

Feb 7, 2015, 10:42 pm

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Tshilidzi Nephawe scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to help New Mexico State to a 77-63 win over Missouri-Kansas City and retain sole possession of first place in the Western Athletic Conference.

Daniel Mullings contributed 18 points, including 12-of-13 shooting from the line, and hauled in 11 boards for New Mexico State (15-10, 7-1), which shot 53.2 percent from the field on 47 attempts and controlled the glass 38-13 in extending its win streak to five. Pascal Siakam added 17 points and Remi Barry had 11.

Tied at 47, DK Eldridge's layup sparked an 8-0 run to give the Aggies the lead for good. A pair of free throws from Mullings pushed the advantage to 65-54 with 4:54 left and the margin never fell below double figures the rest of the way.

Martez Harrison led UMKC (10-15, 5-3) with 19 points and Reese Holliday had 15.