New Mexico State clinches top WAC seed; beats UMKC 62-61

Feb 27, 2016, 05:29 pm

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Pascal Siakam scored 17 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and his free throw with 10 seconds left in the game proved to be the winner as New Mexico clinched a share of back-to-back Western Athletic Conference championships by holding off Missouri-Kansas City 62-61 Saturday afternoon.

LaVell Boyd's 3-pointer pulled the Kangaroos within three, 59-56 with 20 seconds left. Braxton Huggins hit a pair of free throws to give New Mexico State a 61-56 lead, but Martez Harrison brought UMKC back within three with a layup. Siakam hit the front end of a one-and-one and Harrison hit a 3-pointer with five seconds left to create the final score.

The Aggies (21-9, 12-1) head into the WAC tournament as the No. 1 seed, where they have won four-straight titles.

Ian Baker had 16 points for New Mexico State.

Harrison finished with 20 points to help pace UMKC (10-18, 3-10).