COLLEGE BASKETBALL BIG WEST ROUNDUP : Reserves Help New Mexico State Defeat UCSB

New Mexico State Coach Neil McCarthy says his No. 23 Aggies always find a way to win.

“Every night, something else seems to lead us to a victory,” McCarthy said Saturday night after the Aggies held on for a 64-57 Big West victory over UC Santa Barbara at Las Cruces, N.M.

“Tonight it was our bench,” McCarthy said, praising the play of his reserves, who scored a total of 24 points. “Our bench came in and did a nice job.”

New Mexico State (11-1, 3-0) won its 25th consecutive home game after Randy Brown scored some points in the final minutes to help the Aggies hold on.

“Randy seemed to have an off night until the end, but he made some big plays down the stretch,” McCarthy said.

UC Santa Barbara (7-6, 2-3) pulled to within 57-56 on Gary Gray’s basket with 3:15 left. A minute later, Ray Stewart missed two free throws that would have given the Gauchos the lead.

Brown then scored on a tip-in and made three of four in the final 1:40 to give the Aggies a 62-56 lead. Chris Hickman, who made all eight of his free throws, extended the lead to 64-56 on two more free throws.

“Although we didn’t shoot our free throws very well, we made the free throws when it was timely,” McCarthy said. “Let’s hope we can play better at Fresno.”

The Aggies play at Fresno State on Monday night.

Michael New lead the Aggies with 14 points, Brown and Ron Putzi both added nine points and Hickman scored eight.

Ray Kelly led the Gauchos with 15 points, while Lucius Davis added 14 and Gray had 11.

New Mexico State’s defense shut down the Gauchos and the Aggies built a 25-12 first-half lead with 4:41 to play, capped by a baseline jumper from New.

“They aren’t a real good shooting team, but they do so many other things good,” said UC Santa Barbara Coach Jerry Pimm. “They do a real good job of their defense. It’s helping them win games.”