Siakam leads New Mexico State past Utah Valley

OREM, Utah -- Pascal Siakam finished with 20 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots to lead New Mexico State to a 78-66 win over Utah Valley on Thursday night in the Western Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

Tanveer Bhullar had 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, both career highs, Ian Baker added 15 points and six assists and Sidy Ndir scored 14 for New Mexico State (9-7).

Konner Frey scored five during a 7-2 run to open the second half that put the Wolverines up 46-34, their biggest lead of the game, with 17:45 left.

Ndir answered with back-to-back layups that started a 13-1 run by New Mexico State and tied it at 47-all about four minutes later.

A putback by Siakam and a 3-point play by Ndir sparked a 10-1 run that gave the Aggies a 74-63 lead with 51 seconds left.

Marcel Davis led Utah Valley (6-10) with 22 points. The Wolverines made just 10 of 30 second-half, field-goal attempts.