Big West Roundup : New Mexico St. Wins Without 2 Starters

Johnny Roberson scored 19 points to lead New Mexico State to a 72-64 victory over Cal State Long Beach Saturday night in a Big West Conference basketball game at Las Cruces, N.M., even though the Aggies were missing two starters.

Roberson, who made 6 of 9 shots and sank 7 of 9 free throws, also had 10 rebounds.

The Aggies (11-6 overall, 4-3 in the Big West) were without second-leading scorer Jeff McCool and center Steve McGlothin, who were injured in Fresno Tuesday when a van the team was traveling in was struck by another vehicle.

New Mexico State built a 41-26 halftime lead, making 58% of its shots while holding the 49ers to 26%.

The Aggies never trailed, although the 49ers (7-9, 4-3) made a game of it with a 23-12 run.

Marco Flemming’s 3-point shot brought Long Beach within 52-49 with 7:55 left before the Aggies regained control.

Roberson hit 2 free throws and Jimmy Taylor connected on a 3-point shot to give the Aggies an 8-point lead, and New Mexico State made 8 straight free throws in the stretch.

Keith Hill added 18 points for the Aggies, while James Anderson had 12.

Senior center John Hatten scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Long Beach, and Flemming added 13.

UC Santa Barbara 74, Fresno State 60--Carrick DeHart scored 20 points, and Mike Doyle added 17 as the Gauchos ran past the Bulldogs at Santa Barbara.

DeHart was 4 of 5 from the 3-point line as the Gauchos (14-1) improved their Big West record to 5-1. Jervis Cole scored 22 for Fresno State (8-8, 3-4).

Paul Johnson made a basket to open the second half, then DeHart hit two straight 3-point shots as the Gauchos increased their 34-27 halftime lead to 42-27.

The Gauchos went up, 48-29, after 5 minutes of the second half, before Fresno State got 9 points from Bijou Baly during a 17-4 run that cut it to 52-46 with 6:34 left.

The Gauchos regained control as DeHart scored 5 straight points for a 67-50 lead with 2:29 remaining.

Eric McArthur had 14 points and Johnson 11 for the Gauchos. Doyle added 10 rebounds.

Baly finished with 17 for Fresno State, while Wilbert Hooker had 11.