LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) -Las Cruces native Gordo Castillo hit four 3-point shots for a career-high 12 points as he lifted New Mexico State to an 82-72 win over Hawaii on Saturday.
The victory was the third consecutive win in the Pan American Center for NMSU as the Aggies improved to 11-11, 5-4 in the Western Athletic Conference.
Hawaii (10-11, 2-7 WAC) took an early lead, but the Aggies held a 39-31 halftime advantage after an 11-5 run at the end of the half.
Seven minutes into the second half, Castillo hit back-to-back 3-point buckets to put the Aggies up by 11 points at 50-39.
After Hawaii narrowed the deficit to seven points, Castillo hit another shot from beyond the arch for a 10-point advantage at 57-47.
Castillo?s final 3-point shot fell with five minutes remaining to once again secure a double-digit lead at 62-50.
After the shot by Castillo, NMSU maintained a lead of at least six points through the final buzzer.
The Aggie?s 78.8 percent free-throw shooting stabilized the team?s offense as Hawaii sent NMSU to the free-throw line six times in the final minute of the game.
Roderick Flemings led Hawaii with 27 points and Bill Amis added 18 points and nine rebounds, but the Warriors? offense struggled as the team shot 38 percent from the field and 18.8 percent from 3-point range.
Jahmar Young scored a team-high 25 points for NMSU after he went into Saturday?s game averaging 18 points and 2.29 3-point shots per game to lead the WAC.
