New Mexico St. holds off Grand Canyon, 74-70; now 9-0 in WAC
LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- Jemerrio Jones scored 27 points and matched his career high by snaring 20 rebounds and New Mexico State thrilled a packed home-court crowd by coming from behind to beat Grand Canyon, 74-70 Saturday night to remain unbeaten in the Western Athletic Conference.
Grand Canyon, which was upset Thursday by UT-Rio Grande Valley, falls to fourth in the WAC behind Seattle and Utah Valley with four losses in conference.
The Antelopes held a 10-point lead, 63-53 after Keonta Vernon scored at the basket with 7:52 left. Jones answered with three straight field goals. After Vernon hit the first of two free throws, A.J. Harris made two free throws and knocked down a trey to tie the game and Zach Lofton put the Aggies ahead, 66-64 with two more free throws. Harris' layup with 1:49 left put New Mexico State up for good, 71-69.
Lofton and Harris both contributed 15 points for New Mexico State (22-3, 9-0).
Oscar Frayer scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Grand Canyon (17-9, 6-4). Vernon and Alessandro Lever each added 13 points.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Rick Randall
- Casey McClellan
- Rick Hartzell
2023-24 Western Athletic Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Grand Canyon | 17-3 | - | 30-5 |
Tarleton State | 16-4 | 1 | 25-10 |
UT Arlington | 13-7 | 4 | 20-14 |
Seattle U | 11-9 | 6 | 23-14 |
Utah Valley | 11-9 | 6 | 16-16 |
Stephen F. Austin | 10-10 | 7 | 18-15 |
Abilene Christian | 10-10 | 7 | 16-18 |
California Baptist | 8-12 | 9 | 16-17 |
Utah Tech | 7-13 | 10 | 11-20 |
Southern Utah | 5-15 | 12 | 10-21 |
UT Rio Grande Valley | 2-18 | 15 | 6-25 |
2023-24 Conference USA Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
Sam Houston | 13-3 | - | 21-12 |
Louisiana Tech | 12-4 | 1 | 22-10 |
Western Kentucky | 8-8 | 5 | 22-12 |
Liberty | 7-9 | 6 | 18-14 |
UTEP | 7-9 | 6 | 18-16 |
Middle Tennessee | 7-9 | 6 | 14-19 |
New Mexico State | 7-9 | 6 | 13-19 |
Jacksonville State | 6-10 | 7 | 14-18 |
Florida International | 5-11 | 8 | 11-22 |