LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) -Jonathan Gibson hit a jumper with 16.2 seconds remaining to secure a 55-52 New Mexico State victory over Utah State to open Western Athletic Conference play for both teams on Saturday.
NMSU (8-6, 1-0) led by 11 with 6:53 to play but didn't score again until Gibson's jumper. He finished with a game-high 19 points.
Utah State (10-5, 0-1) closed to 53-52 with 46.9 seconds left on a Pooh Williams' 3-pointer from the left wing.
Utah State erased a three-point halftime deficit, 27-24, to take a brief one-point lead with 15:28 to play, but Gibson scored eight straight points, putting NMSU ahead for good with 15:11 to play. Gibson knocked down one of his three 3-pointers during a 14-6 NMSU flurry that opened a 53-42 advantage with 6:53 left.
Tai Wesley led Utah State with 14 points and nine rebounds and Tyler Newbold added 12 points.
