EL PASO, Texas (AP) - Gabriel McCulley had 18 points and 13 rebounds and made the go-ahead layup with 2:37 remaining as UTEP defeated New Mexico State 73-69 on Sunday.
Michael Perez led the Miners (2-4) with 19 points, and Julian Washburn added 16.
McCulley's layup gave UTEP a 68-67 lead, and the Aggies (5-4) went 0 for 4 from the floor and committed two turnovers down the stretch. That enabled the Miners to protect their cushion at the free-throw line.
Hernst Laroche had 16 points and Tyrone Watson 11 for New Mexico State. Wendell McKines collected 11 rebounds.
The teams split their Interstate-10 rivalry series this season, with the Aggies winning 89-73 at Las Cruces, N.M., on Nov. 19.
UTEP retired Nolan Richardson's No. 42 at halftime. Richardson played for the Miners from 1960-63 before enjoying a distinguished college coaching career, including a national championship with Arkansas in 1994.
