NM State got a DK Eldridge layup with 11:02 to play that ignited a 10-2 run midway through the second half to break open a tight game and the Aggies never trailed again.
But it was what the Aggies did inside that gave NM State it’s fifth straight win and 10th victory in the last 11 games.
Senior center Tshilidzi Nephawe collected his third double-double of the season as he led all scorers and rebounders with 20 points and 12 boards. Nephawe nearly had as many boards as the Roos, with NM State outboarding UMKC 38-13.
Senior guard Daniel Mullings worked his way driving inside to chalk up 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while redshirt freshman forward Pascal Siakam just missed the double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds.
Senior forward Remi Barry added 11 points with a pair of blocked shots.
“I’m so proud of the guys, getting our first road sweep this season,” said NM State coach Marvin Menzies. “Our bigs played well, especially in the second half. It was the difference in the game.
“We dominated inside and did what we expected them to do. I’m so happy to see the guys execute the game plan.”
The Aggies getting the ball inside put them at the free throw line – a lot. And they responded.
NM State hit a season-best 25-of-29 from the foul line (86.2 percent). Mullings hit 12-of-13 driving to the hole, while Nephawe went 6-of-8 and Siakam 5-of-6 from the gimme line. Forward Remi Barry was 2-of-2 from the line as the only other Aggie to shoot free throws.
“We really shot well tonight,” said Menzies. “We hit our free throws and we shot 53 percent from the floor.”
The night didn’t start so well for NM State.
UMKC jumped out to a 25-17 lead before the Aggies responded with an 8-0 run to tie the game at 25.
However, the Roos nailed back-to-back 3-pointers, two of the five they connected on in the opening half, opening a lead that the Aggies answered to go into intermission tied at 34.
But the Aggies didn’t allow another 3-ball the rest of the game.
“We made good adjustments at halftime,” Menzies said. “They could have won the game if we didn’t keep them off the arc. We played it perfectly.”
Missouri-Kansas City guard Martez Harrison scored 19 points, but was held without a 3-pointer. Reese Holliday posted 15 points.
The Aggies return to the Pan American Center on Thursday night when they have a rematch with Seattle U. who handed NM State it’s only blemish on its WAC ledger this season. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.