NM State opened the game on 7-3 run and led 16-5 at 12:17 in the first half. The Aggies didn’t let up from there and an acrobatic dunk from senior DK Eldridge with just over a minute remaining propelled the Aggies into intermission with a 33-14 lead.
The Aggies’ defense put the clamps on the ‘Roos in the first half. NM State held UMKC to season-low 14 first-half points. The ‘Roos also shot 22 percent (5-of-22) shooting from the field.
“We were ready and had the right mind site,” added Menzies. “It’s a new season and both teams came in here with a 0-0 record. We know the importance of conference play and it showed – especially with our defensive effort in the first half.”
It was more of the same in the second half as the Aggies controlled tempo and kept the ‘Roos off balance.
At 15:41 the Aggies defense forced a turnover, which turned into an easy layup for freshman Pascal Siakam, and the Aggies led 41-22 with 15 minutes remaining in the second stanza.
“We played with energy and it showed,” Siakam said. “We know that defense is important and we need to continue to work hard and get better. It was great to open conference play with a win, but it’s just the first of many games to come.”
It was all NM State the rest of the way and the Aggies shot 40 percent (10-of-25) from the field in the second half to keep the ‘Roos at bay.
Senior Remi Barry scored a game-high 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting field. He also grabbed seven rebounds.
Siakam recorded his third double-double of the season with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Ian Baker helped out with 12 points and was 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. Eldridge dropped 11 points.
Martez Harrison scored a team-high 12 points to lead UMKC (5-13, 0-1 WAC).
NM State (9-9, 1-0 WAC) returns to the hardwood next week with a pair of WAC road games at Bakersfield and Seattle.