Aggie basketball team routs Mississippi Valley State

New Mexico State never trailed and had two players collect double-doubles as the Aggies took out Mississippi Valley State 85-46 on Saturday night at the Pan American Center

The Aggies (3-1) and Delta Devils (0-3) played close through the first five minutes of the contest before NMSU went on a 28-4 run in a nine minute stretch to open a 42-15 lead and never looked back.

NMSU held as much as a 27-point lead during the first half and got it up to 40 in the second before settling for the 39-point 85-46 triumph.

“I’m very pleased at the way we played tonight,” said Aggies head coach Marvin Menzies. “It was a good test against a team whose style of play is similar to what we’ll see from different opponents going forward this year. I was happy to see them handle this and get some success against it so we can have some video to refer to on how to beat it.”

The Delta Devils had a smaller, quick lineup that gave the taller Aggies fits during the first minutes of the contest. But after an adjustment at the first media timeout NM State dialed down the defense. MVSU never recovered.

For the third time in four games, forward Pascal Siakam picked up a double-double. The 6-9 sophomore from Douala, Cameroon/God’s Academy scored 19 points and pulled down 16 rebounds to lead the Aggies in both categories.

Redshirt freshman Eli Chuha tallied his career-highs with his first career double-double. The 6-8 forward from Redlands, Calif./Redlands East chalked up 15 points with 10 rebounds, going 7-of-9 from the floor in the win.

“Coach has been telling me to be just be comfortable and don’t rush things,” said Chuha. “I’m learning from Pascal from the post position. He said just be physical in the post and take good shots.”

The Aggies also got a dozen points from sophomore Braxton Huggins of Bakersfield, Calif./Mira Monte and junior Ian Baker of Washington, D.C./Arlington Country Day. Baker also collected a career-high seven assists in the victory.

Mississippi Valley was led by junior guard Rashaan Surles with nine points and seven rebounds.

The Aggies have won two games in the Air Force Classic multi-team event, as has the Air Force Academy. The next game in the event is Sunday when Air Force hosts Robert Morris.

NMSU then faces Robert Morris at the Pan American Center on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. The contest is part of a double-header with the NM State women who play Southern Utah starting at 5 p.m.