Hamidu Rahman News

GAME NOTES: UCLA will try to continue its dominance over New Mexico State, when the Bruins host the Aggies this evening in a non-league affair at Pauley Pavilion.

The 2-5 Aggie men's basketball team has been doing it with a diluted roster, as has been well-documented, but help is on the bus with them to El Paso for tonight's game at 5-0 UTEP .

UTEP and its high flying basketball show fell from the heights of the undefeated, toppled to earth from the wings of a crushing win over New Mexico State two weeks ago in Las Cruces.

UTEP and New Mexico State, two teams with wonderful basketball histories, will get together for some heated hoops at 7 p.m. today in the Don Haskins Center ... get together for the 199th time.

Now it's 8-0. Sure, the University of New Mexico 's men's basketball schedule hasn't been loaded with NCAA Tournament contenders.

Phillip McDonald shields the ball away from Cal's Max Zhang during the Lobos' 86-78 win Wednesday.

UTEP was a step quicker and a whole lot better than New Mexico State on Tuesday at the Pan American Center.

UTEP and New Mexico State will get together in Las Cruces tonight to play a little hoops -- for the 198th time.

The men's basketball team meets Oklahoma Panhandle State, Saturday, Nov. 21, at 2 p.m., inside the Pan American Center.

LAS CRUCES The New Mexico State Aggies got off to a fast start Tuesday night. It fizzled out quickly, however, as the team lost an early 23-point led, fell down big in the second half and eventually lost 84-73 to Cal-State Fullerton in Fullerton, Calif.

Aaron Thompson tied his career high with 22 points, Jacques Streeter added 20 and Cal State Fullerton overcame a 25-3 deficit to beat New Mexico State 84-73 Tuesday night.

Yes, NMSU bled - for that matter poured in the first 20 minutes of Tuesday's contest, down 16 at intermission - but eventually the blood coagulated, and the Aggies' apparent mortal wound didn't turn out to be as deadly as first thought.

Game No. 100 was a big one for New Mexico State senior guard Jonathan Gibson. It was also the Aggies first win of the season, beating Division II Oklahoma Panhandle State 83-73 on Saturday at the Pan American Center.

His name is Kelly Merker and he is No. 15 in your New Mexico State men's basketball program.

LAS CRUCES There is a difference between Western New Mexico and a regular season college basketball game.

Scoring has never been a problem for the New Mexico State men's basketball team, but the defensive end has been a different story.

Every season, there is going to be one or two games that can be thrown out for any number of reasons.

's men and women begin the new basketball season today on nearly identical paths.

Ben Allen had career highs of 17 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, freshman Matthew Dellavedova added 19 points and Saint Mary's beat New Mexico State 100-68 in the season opener for both teams Friday night.

College basketball season is here and it couldn't come soon enough for Jahmar Young.