Big Run Lifts Aggies Over 49ers

Charles Gosa scored 13 points and grabbed 13 rebounds Thursday night as New Mexico State used an 18-4 run to open the second half en route to a 60-46 victory over Long Beach State at Las Cruces.

New Mexico State (10-5 and 3-0 in the Big West Conference) built its 30-26 halftime lead to 18 points with the 18-4 run over the first 13 minutes of the second half.

Long Beach State (6-8 and 3-1) cut the deficit to eight points twice in the game’s final minutes. But the slow start in the second half proved too much to overcome.

The 49ers put together a 12-2 run capped by Ramel Lloyd’s two free throws to climb back into the contest at 50-42 with 3:19 to play.

But the Aggies used solid free-throw shooting, going eight of 10 from the line, and a game-ending breakaway dunk by Billy Keys to outscore the 49ers, 10-4, the rest of the way.

Brad Bestor, who contributed four free throws down the stretch, joined Gosa in double figures for the Aggies with 13 points.

Lloyd led Long Beach State with 13 points.

New Mexico State, seeking its fourth straight victory, fell behind early. The Aggies didn’t get their first lead, at 19-17, until the 6:59 mark of the first half.

After Long Beach tied the score, 21-21, New Mexico State got back on top and led the rest of the game.

Southern California College 72, Hope International 56--Southern California College got 20 points from reserve Kevin Bradley.

Jabari Simmons had 19, also for the Vanguards. Hope International was led by Thad Alston, who had 15 points.

WOMEN

Chapman 85, Bethany Women’s 48--April Abeyta scored 12 points and grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds to boost the Panthers, and Trista King contributed seven points and a game-high 10 assists.

Teammates Shamekia Perkins (Tustin High) and Michelle McMillen led Chapman with 13 points apiece. Lacee Collins added 12 points.

The Panthers were 15 of 22 from the free-throw line, shooting .769 in the first half (10 of 13).

Chapman led at halftime, 43-17.