New Mexico State overcame an 18-point, second-half deficit behind 22 points from Sir’Jabari Rice in a 64-61 win over Washington State on Wednesday night in Pullman, Wash.
Rice scored 19 of his points in the second half. Overall, he made 5 of 8 shots from the field, including 4 of 7 from 3-point range, and sank all eight of his free-throw attempts.
Teddy Allen had 18 points, six rebounds and five assists for the Aggies (9-2), who are 4-0 on the road.
New Mexico State also got 10 points and eight rebounds from Will McNair Jr.
Washington State’s Michael Flowers had 15 points, and Noah Williams scored 13. Efe Abogidi had 11 points and seven rebounds for the Cougars (7-4), and TJ Bamba finished with 11 points and five rebounds.
The Aggies trailed 44-26 less than four minutes into the second half before rallying. Allen made three free throws with 1:56 left after he was fouled attempting a 3-pointer, giving New Mexico State a 63-60 lead.
Bamba made 1 of 2 free throws with 59 seconds left to cut the gap to 63-61.
The teams each had one unsuccessful possession before New Mexico State’s Johnny McCants split two free throws with 18 seconds left.
Williams missed a driving layup for Washington State with nine seconds left.
McNair failed to convert two free throws with eight seconds to go, setting up a possibility for Williams to tie the game with a 3-pointer. However, Williams’ last-second shot bounced away off the rim.
After falling behind by 18 early in the second half, New Mexico State went on a 14-3 run. Rice scored 10 points in that stretch that cut Washington State’s lead to 47-40 with 12:17 remaining.
A 3-pointer by Rice with 9:07 left trimmed the Cougars’ lead to 51-45.
New Mexico State outscored Washington State 15-7, with Allen making four shots from the field. As a result, the Aggies took a 60-58 lead with 3:08 left.
The Cougars made only one field goal in the game’s last 7 1/2 minutes. They missed their last seven shots.
–Field Level Media
