Offensive Woes Down NM State Versus Abilene Christian

Aggies record their first home loss of the 2024-25 season.

Source: NMSU Athletics
Photo: Courtesy

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – For the first time since Nov. 14, NM State (3-5, 0-0 CUSA) returned to the Pan American Center to host former WAC foes Abilene Christian (6-3, 0-0 WAC). Despite a late surge, NM State ultimately fell 78-70 for its first loss in front of a home crowd this season.

The Wildcats posted the first basket of the game, though four points from graduate forward Peter Filipovity gave the home team a 4-2 advantage. Following the Filipovity points, Abilene Christian grew their lead to eight points (14-6) with 11 minutes remaining in the opening half.

As the half wound down, the Aggies utilized the charity stripe to help shrink the visitors’ lead – earning 16 first-half free throw attempts after taking just four in the opening nine minutes of the contest. With 86 seconds remaining in the opening stanza, Jaden Harris knocked in his first three-pointer of the contest to give the Aggies their largest lead of the night (29-23). A Filipovity free throw closed the Crimson & White scoring, sending the game to halftime with a 30-27 score in favor of the home side.

SECOND HALF

Much like he did to end the first half, Jaden Harris provided an offensive spark for NM State, fighting through tough contact for a quick two before tallying an electric four-point play for his second triple of the night.

An extended shooting slump from the Aggies plagued the preceding moments as the Wildcats scored 14 of the next 15 points, taking a 46-37 lead with less than 13 minutes remaining.

While the Aggies reentered the scoring column after five minutes without a field goal, they were unable to cut the lead below nine points over the ensuing nine minutes, facing a 64-55 deficit.

In quick succession, Head Coach Jason Hooten earned a pair of technical fouls late in the half, suffering his first ejection of his 15-year career with 95 seconds remaining.

A 10-4 run to close the contest was not enough, as the Aggies lost their first home contest of the 2024-25 season, 78-70.

NUMBERS OF NOTE

· NM State finished the night with five double-digit scorers (Robert Carpenter, Zawdie Jackson, Christian Cook, Peter Filipovity, Nate Tshimanga). The loss to the Wildcats marked the second straight home contest the Aggies had five players with 10+ points.

· After tonight’s 13-point performance, forward Robert Carpenter has now scored over double figures for the eighth time this season. He is currently leading the Aggies in the scoring column with 12.6 points per game.

· The Crimson & White outscored Abilene Christian off the bench 30-11, with Carpenter’s 13 points and 10 from Cook leading the way.

For complete coverage of NM State Men’s Basketball, visit NMStateSports.com – the official home of Aggie athletics – and follow us on Twitter (@NMStateMBB), Instagram (@NMStateMBB), and like us on Facebook (NMStateMBB).

Article posted by:

Levi Gwaltney

Levi Gwaltney is the Editor In Chief of Las Cruces Digest. The Editor makes editorial and posting decisions regarding content published on this site. In most cases, the Editor makes little if any contribution to content published, and takes no credit for the content of republished posts. If available, the source or author of posts is provided at the top of the article.