LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) -Troy Gillenwater anchored New Mexico State with 17 points, five rebounds, two blocks and one steal as the Aggies beat UC Riverside 79-52 in Saturday's season opener.
With Gillenwater's efforts, NMSU (1-0) pressured Riverside (0-1) and transitioned for 30 points scored on turnovers. The Aggies forced 20 turnovers and finished with 22 defensive rebounds, nine steals and three blocks.
Jesse LoBue and Javon Borum led Riverside with 11 points each. Konner Veteto finished with 10 points and six rebounds.
The Aggies started off slow. Jonathan Gibson missed his first three 3-point attempts but finally found the basket from behind the arc nine minutes into the game to tie the score at 16.
Gillenwater, a red-shirt freshman, followed with his own basket on the next possession, giving the Aggies an 18-16 lead.
By halftime, NMSU led 45-30 and never surrendered the lead in the second half.
Gibson went on to score 15 points and Jahmar Young added a team-high 18 points for the Aggies.
LoBue led Riverside's initial attacks as he hit all three of his first-half attempts from the field. However, he didn't add another point until less than three minutes remained in the game.
The Highlanders were held scoreless through the first seven minutes of the second half until Brandon Dowdy hit a long 3-point shot.
