New Mexico State beats Cal State Bakersfield in WAC championship
Sat., March 11, 2017
LAS VEGAS – New Mexico State overcame a 13-point deficit in the second half to defeat Cal State Bakersfield 70-60 on Saturday night and win the Western Athletic Conference Tournament title for the fifth time in the past six years.
The Aggies (28-5) used a 21-2 run in the second half after Bakersfield (22-9), the WAC regular-season champion, took a 39-26 lead.
But New Mexico State went on a 3-point binge, getting long-distance baskets from Ian Baker and Chancellor Ellis to pull the Aggies into a 41-41 tie. Ellis’ 3 with 9:11 left put New Mexico State ahead for good.
Eli Chuha led New Mexico State with 16 points, and Baker had 15, including going 3 of 4 from beyond the arc.
The Aggies were 6 of 12 on 3-pointers in the second half.
Dedrick Basile scored 17 points to lead Cal State Bakersfield.
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