NM State used a 15-3 run in the first half to regain the lead after trailing briefly as Baker buried three straight 3-pointers to lead the attack. The Aggies never trailed again.
“The guys played well tonight,” said NM State coach Marvin Menzies. “We played stellar defense and shot well offensively. I am very pleased.”
The Aggies shot 55 percent from the floor for the night, including 62 percent from the 3-point arc (8-of-13).
In addition to his 20 points, Barry collected six rebounds to lead the team.
Baker was the mad bomber for the Aggies, connecting on 4-of-6 from the floor – all behind the arc. He had three assists and a steal.
However, the game’s shining moment was the return of senior center Tshilidzi Nephawe. “Chili” hit the floor in the first half for the first time since Thanksgiving after suffering a foot injury.
“Having Chili back was the highlight of the game for me,” said Menzies. “His timing was off, but he gave us some quality minutes.”
Nephawe recorded eight points with three rebounds in 14 minutes.
Redshirt freshman Pascal Siakam added 11 points with six boards and two blocked shots.
The Aggies also played shutdown defense, holding the Roadrunners to 38 percent from the floor (21-of-55) and 1-of-10 from the 3-point arc in surrendering 54 points.
The Roadrunners were paced by Aly Ahmed with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Kevin Mays also added 18 points.
NM State has won five straight, the longest streak in the WAC this season,
The Aggies travel to the Pacific Northwest for Saturday’s contest at Seattle U. Tipoff from KeyArena in Seattle is at 8:30 MST for the telecast on the American Sports Network.