New Mexico State Uses Depth to Wear Down Long Beach State

New Mexico State showed Wednesday night why it is such a heavy favorite to win the Big West Conference basketball title.

Despite several injuries to key players and the loss of another because of academic problems, the Aggies wore down visiting Long Beach State with superior depth and better offensive rebounding in a 94-76 victory before 9,136 at the Pan American Center.

Forward William Howze was declared ineligible by New Mexico State this week, reserve guard Lance Jackson learned he had a stress fracture in his left shin and forward D.J. Jackson sprained an ankle in practice.

During Wednesday’s game, guard Corey Rogers sprained an ankle and was carried from the court and guard Thomas Wyatt needed three stiches to close a cut on his eyelid.

But New Mexico State, with seven junior college transfers, has one of the deepest benches in the conference, and it showed.

The victory improved the Aggies’ record to 9-1 overall and 2-0 in the Big West.

The Aggies couldn’t shake the 49ers in the first 25 minutes, despite opening seven-point leads three times.

A basket by 49er forward Terrance O’Kelley cut the Aggies’ lead to 44-42 with 16:22 to play.

But Jackson, who finished with 17 points and nine rebounds, answered with a three-point shot, Wyatt tipped in a missed layup by teammate James Dockery and Wyatt’s steal seconds later led to a breakaway layup by Rogers. By the time Long Beach Coach Seth Greenberg called for a timeout, the 49ers (5-3, 0-1) trailed, 56-44.

The Aggies held a 48-35 edge in rebounding, including a 25-23 advantage on the offensive end. Long Beach had 23 turnovers.

Long Beach forward Rod Hannibal led all scorers with 20 points. Reserve James Cotton scored 14.