NMSU shuts down UMKC, closes in on WAC lead

By foxsports
Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:14 p.m. ET

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) -- Tshilidzi Nephawe scored 15 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked four shots to lead New Mexico State to a 71-48 win over Missouri-Kansas City Thursday night.

The Aggies' defense limited the UMKC to 26.4 percent shooting from the field, hitting just 19 of 72 attempts from the floor and 2 of 13 from long range.

New Mexico State is now one game behind Utah Valley in the Western Athletic Conference standings after the Wolverines fell to Seattle Thursday. The win evened the season series with the Kangaroos; UMKC won 68-66 in Kansas City on Jan. 18.

Renaldo Dixon had 11 points while DK Eldridge and Ian Baker each added 10 for New Mexico State (19-8, 8-3 Western Athletic).

Martez Harrison scored 13 points on 6-of-14 shooting to lead the Kangaroos (7-16, 4-6). Nelson Kirksey added 12 points.