AP Photos NMLCR101-103
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LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) -- Six players scored in double digits and Western Kentucky held off upset-minded New Mexico State 77-75 Saturday night.
The Hilltoppers (13-5, 3-3 Sunbelt Conference) got 15 points each from Antonio Haynes and Anthony Winchester, 12 each from Boris Siakam and Danny Rumph, 11 from Courtney Lee and 10 from Elgrace Wilborn.
New Mexico State (5-15, 1-6) led by as many as nine points, 48-39, early in the second half. The Hilltoppers hit three 3-pointers in a three-minute stretch to finally take their first lead of the second half, 63-62, with 9:49 to play.
The Aggies were never able to regain the lead, although they cut the deficit to 75-73 on a Josh Jenkins 3-pointer with 41 seconds left to play.
The Hilltoppers then ran the clock down until Jenkins fouled Winchester with 12 seconds left to play. Winchester sank both free throws to make it 77-73.
The Aggies got a pair of free throws from Duane John with 3 seconds left to end the scoring.
Trevor Lawrence led New Mexico State with 17 points, six rebounds and a career-high five blocked shots. The 6-11 junior started in place of senior Jeff Jones who was forced to miss the game because of a flagrant technical foul he committed in Thursday night's game against Middle Tennessee State.
John and Mike Mitchell added 15 points apiece for NMSU, while Jenkins added 14.
The Aggies led throughout the first 10 minutes of the game, but Western Kentucky went on a 14-0 run to take a 33-24 lead with 5:18 left before halftime. NMSU rallied to knot the score at 35-35 at halftime.
