LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - Daniel Mullings scored 17 points, and New Mexico State rode a big second half to an 80-60 victory over Utah State on Thursday.
Wendell McKines added 13 points and 11 rebounds for NMSU (12-5, 2-0 Western Athletic). Hamidu Rahman scored 11 points, and Tshilidzi Nephawe had 12.
Kyisean Reed led Utah State (9-8, 1-2) with 18 points, and Brockeith Pane scored 16.
The teams were tied 34-34 at halftime, but a 26-6 run over nine minutes of the second half put New Mexico State up by 18, 70-52, with 4:07 to play. Utah State made just two field goals in that span.
NMSU outscored Utah State 52-14 in the paint and scored 18 second-chance points. The hosts shot 60 percent from the floor in the second half to finish at 49 percent (30 of 61) for the game.
Utah State still leads the all-time series against its fellow Aggies, 35-28.
