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There was a lot of tension in the air. When a fan yelled out "You F****** Suck!" to a Louisiana player, the ref barked back, threatening to eject the fan. It went on like this all night. When the Aggies got a technical, Coach Reggie Theus took to the microphone and had some words for the rowdy crowd. "If you think you're helping, you're not...This is a tight game!" Coach Theus wasn't happy with the crowd and he wasn't happy with the refs either. He challenged a lot of what observes thought were questionable calls, even a double technical that both players involved didn't understand what had actually transpired. Beyond all the yelling, scratching and trash talking, the Aggies held it together and put the Bulldogs away in the final minute. It was a night for the big men out there. Tyrone Nelson had another great night with 21 points. Again and again, Ty showed he isn't shy. The six foot nine center from Texas isn't afraid to run the ball around the key or down court straight to the basket. Nelson can handle the ball like few big men can. |
Mike Mitchell banked ten points and four key steals against Louisiana .photo: Adron Gardner |
Another big man, Trevor Lawrence came in and put in some key defensive plays. Though he scored just four points, Trev stepped up and made some key defensive plays, with a beautiful block in the second half that helped quell the Bulldogs confidence. With 39 percent shooting on the night, it wasn't a banner game for the aggies scoring. Lousisana would shoot at 41 percent on the night.
Coach Theus wasn't happy with the officiating and he let the referees know it .photo: Adron Gardner
In such a close game, it was obvious defense was going to be the difference. Louisiana's high scorer for the night, Paul Millsap would score 14. But it was Millsap that would also cost Louisiana dearly.
Coach Theus was right, it would indeed be a tight game. The game's fourth and final technical foul was called on Millsap. Elijah Ingram would sink the two free throws with just over one minute left in the game and break the tie at 58 points a piece.
Elijah scored 15 in the game following Nelson's 21.
The final few seconds played out quietly at the foul line. Thankfully tonight the Aggies were 23-of-30 on free throws.
Kevin Ford gets a finger roll through under the hoop .photo: Adron Gardner
After all the tension, the Pan-Am was happy to see the team win the battle. Louisiana beat the Aggies earlier in the season, but New Mexico State's victory on Thrusday night was at the important time. This is a changed team, they play to the end and they play to win.
The Aggies have one more home game Saturday night against Idaho at 7:05 p.m..
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