LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The NM State men's basketball team entertains the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 20, for its second game of the University of San Diego Classic.
 
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LISTEN UP!
Aggie fans that can't make it to the game can listen to NM State Athletics/US Bank Hall of Famer Jack Nixon on 99.5 Zia Country or listen to the game live with their mobile or tablet device on the TuneIn app for free. In addition, fans can listen to the game on the following affiliate stations:
 
Alamagordo      103.7 FM KNMZ
Albuquerque     101.7 FM KQTM
Carlsbad              1240 AM KAMQ
Gallup                   1230 AM, 94.9 FM KYVA
Las Vegas            107.1 FM KMDS
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Aggies played a tough New Mexico game Friday night at The Pit and took a 30-29 lead heading into the break behind 11 points from Ian Baker – who finished with a game-high 25.  The Aggies were able to use a 10-5 edge in points off turnovers in the first half to take that lead as well.
 
However, a scoring lull by NM State late in the second half led to a 20-9 run by the Lobos and gave them their largest lead of the night, 64-51, with 2:12 left in the game. The Aggies were able to cut the lead down to 63-53 with 53 second left to play before falling 72-59.
 
A LOOK AT THE WILDCATS
Sunday's contest will be the first game for Bethune-Cookman as part of the University of San Diego Classic. The Wildcats will then fly to San Diego, Calif., to play the host on Nov. 22 before flying to Birmingham, Ala., for a neutral game against Nichols State and Samford on the road.
 
NM State leads the all-time series between the two teams 2-0 – both coming at home. The Aggies took the last meeting 79-56 back in 2013 behind a 56-percent shooting night while only committing nine fouls. The first meeting between the two teams came in 1994 at the Pan Am Center – an 85-55 decision in favor of New Mexico State.
 
Bethune-Cookman has started the season without its top returning scorer in Jordan Potts, who is out with a broken foot. Potts leads all returners in scoring, 3-point field-goal, rebounds, assists and steals.
 
Reggie Baker (17.0) and Brandon Tabb (16.0) have done a great job filling in for Potts on the offensive end, while it has been a committee for the Wildcats on the defensive front. Baker has poured in back-to-back 20-plus scoring performances for Bethune-Cookman while Tabb has knocked down eight threes early on in the year. Jeffrey Altidort paces the Wildcats with 16 assists on the year to go along with 11 steals as the team's floor general.
 
Bethune-Cookman is 2-1 on the year with its only loss coming against Big East powerhouse, St. John's, on the road 100-53. The Wildcats picked up their first win of the season 75-72 to Kennesaw State at home by erasing a 45-29 deficit and tied it with 2:54 remaining before securing the victory. Two days later, the Wildcats cruised past Trinity College (Fla.) 82-52 in a home game that was played on a neutral court.
 
UP NEXT
The Aggies continue to stay at home as they host Nichols State two days later at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22, for its third game of the San Diego Classic. After a battle with the Colonels, NM State squares off with the host, San Diego, on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 2 p.m. in the Jenny Craig Pavillion for its final game of the tournament.