BIG WEST ROUNDUP : New Mexico State Has Enough to Handle Cal State Fullerton

James Dockery scored 19 points and had 11 rebounds for New Mexico State, which used a series of second-half defensive stands to hold off Cal State Fullerton in an 85-68 victory at Los Cruces, N.M.

The Titans (6-17, 4-11) had several second-half runs, but each time they challenged, New Mexico State (19-3, 11-2) answered, finally outscoring Fullerton, 17-9, in the closing minutes.

*

Nevada Las Vegas 80, UC Irvine 64--Kebu Stewart scored 16 of his 23 points in the second half to lead the Rebels at Las Vegas.

Stewart set an arena rebound record of 24, 17 in the second half, in beating the Anteaters for the 11th consecutive time.

The Runnin’ Rebels (11-11, 7-7 Big West) trailed by four points with 13:10 to play when Stewart took control of the game. He was fouled on a layup and converted the three-point play with 9:54 left to put UNLV ahead to stay 51-50.

The Anteaters (6-16, 3-11) were led by Todd Whitehead’s 15 points.

*

Pacific 78, San Jose State 62--Charles Terrell scored 15 points in a victory against his former team at San Jose (12-10, 8-6), where the Tigers (15-10, 9-5) moved into second place in the Big West.

*

Long Beach State 70, Nevada 64--James Cotton scored 20 points and Mike Atkinson added 18 to lift the 49ers to victory at Reno.

Rod Hannibal had 13 points, 11 of them in the second half, and his three-pointer at 9:50 put Long Beach (13-8, 8-6) ahead for good, 56-55.

Nevada (10-13, 6-9) closed to 64-60 on a three-pointer by Jerry Hogan, but the 49ers held on.

*

Santa Barbara 63, Utah St. 60--Kyle Milling and Phillip Turner each pumped in 19 points to lead the Gauchos (11-14, 7-7) over the Aggies (11-12, 8-7) at Provo, Utah.