Robert Carpenter led the Aggies with 18 points and five rebounds.
Source: NMSU Athletics
Photo: Courtesy
After 236 days since their last time being on the hardwood, the Aggies returned to the Pan American Center. NM State hosted New Mexico Highlands in their season 2024-25 season opener on Monday, Nov. 4, in Las Cruces. The Aggies used strong performances from returners Robert Carpenter (18 points) and Christian Cook (15 points) to close the night with a 93-57 victory.
In the first game of the year, the Aggies outrebounded the Cowboys 59-34. In total, 40 of the Aggies’ 93 points came inside the paint while they limited New Mexico Highlands to just six points in the painted area.
After the first tip-off of the 2024-25 season, the Aggies got on the board first courtesy of returning forward Rob Carpenter, after he converted a layup from a right-handed drive to kick things off for the Aggies. This sparked a scoring surge of seven unanswered points to put the Aggie up 8-0 going into the under-16 media timeout. Coming out of the break, fellow returner Jaden Harris kept the Aggies’ momentum alive with a downhill layup over two defenders. On the next possession, Harris found himself open in the left corner to drain a three to extend the Aggie lead to 15-0 with 14:24 left in the half.
The Crimson and White were able to build an impressive 20-0 lead before the Cowboys finally broke through with a three-pointer from guard Kenard Richardson at the top of the key. The Aggies maintained their momentum throughout the remainder of the first half, outpacing the Cowboys 17-12. Carpenter was a standout for NM State, pacing the Aggies with 12 points and showcasing his shooting touch by hitting 2-of-3 from beyond the arc.
New Mexico Highlands came out with more energy in the second half and kept up with the Aggies through the first four minutes, however, a pair of three-pointers from Rob Carpenter jumpstarted an 11-0 run for the Aggies across the next two minutes. The Aggies’ quick burst was capped off by a two-handed dunk from Memphis transfer Carl Cherenfant.
The Cowboys would eventually end the run with a three, but would put its foot back on the gas pedal as they rattled off seven unanswered points to increase the lead to 40 points. This run included a three-pointer from Christian Cook who ended the opener with five made three on nine attempts.
NM State’s lead would eventually balloon to 51 points on the heels of a second 11-point run which was highlighted by three combined three-pointers from Zawdie Jackson and Dionte Bostick.
With 7:41 remaining, New Mexico Highlands found a spark as it forced three turnovers to help contribute to a nine-point scoring run – reducing the lead to 42 points.
However, the Aggies would maintain its healthy cushion down the stretch with help from true freshman Jae’Coby Osborne who earned his first minutes as an Aggie and turned in three points in the final five minutes of action.
NUMBERS OF NOTE
· Robert Carpenter finished the night as the Aggies’ high-point man – posting 18 points to nearly double his average from last season. Carpenter also turned in a career-high three steals.
· NM State dominated the Cowboys in the paint – outscoring its opponent 40-6 on Monday night.
· A quartet of Aggies posted double-digits on Monday night, with returners Robert Carpenter (18 points), Christian Cook (15 points) leading the way while newcomers Zawdie Jackson (14) and Dionte Bostick (12) also hit the double-digit mark.
· True freshman Gabe Pickens finished with an impressive stat line in his collegiate debut – posting seven points, five rebounds and three assists in just over 16 minutes of action.
· In his first time in the Crimson and White, Nate Tshimanga made his presence felt in the paint leading the Aggies on the boards with 12 rebounds on the night.
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