Back in the big one
Aggies get even with Boise State, earn NCAA bid
Posted: Sunday March 07, 1999 01:27 PM
RENO, Nev. (AP) -- Avoiding a third loss this season to Boise State was the motivation for New Mexico State. The Big West tournament championship and an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament were the prizes.
William Keys scored eight of his 16 points in the final 2:24, and New Mexico State held off Boise State 79-69 Saturday night to win its third conference title in six trips to the finals.
"We had a lot of incentive to win this ball game," New Mexico State coach Lou Henson said. "Not only did we want to beat them after two difficult losses but we wanted to go to the NCAAs. That's been our goal, to get to the Big Dance."
New Mexico State's first trip to the NCAA tournament in five years was also a triumph for Henson, who returned to his alma mater prior to last season, taking over an embattled Aggies program after the firing of Neil McCarthy. Henson had coached the Aggies in the 1960s and '70s, leading them to the Final Four in 1970.
Charles Gosa also scored 16 points for the Aggies (23-9). Zack Norvell added 13 points, Brad Bestor 12 and Aaron Brodt 10 for New Mexico State, which advanced to the NCAAs for the 16th time and first since 1994.
The Aggies were blown out in their two regular season meetings with Boise State, losing by a combined 41 points.
But the third time around, New Mexico State led from the opening minutes of the game. Brodt said the turnaround was a sign of the Aggies' maturity.
"I think we're a little older team now," Brodt said. "For one thing, we didn't make 30 turnovers like last time. We took the attitude that if we come out and play as tough as possible, nobody can beat us in this league."
Roberto Bergersen scored 29 points for top-seeded Boise State (21-8), which was denied in its bid for its first Big West title since joining the conference three years ago.
Abe Jackson added 19 points and Gerry Washington had 10 for the Broncos.
"We got a little low in the tank but I'm not making excuses because New Mexico State did a great job," said Boise State coach Rod Jensen. "Their [defensive] switching put us on our heels. We were standing. We weren't moving. We're a tired bunch of cowboys right now."
Up by eight at the half, New Mexico State used an 8-0 run capped by Norvell's running 12-foot bank shot to stretch its lead to 46-31 with 15:47 remaining.
But the Broncos worked their way back into the game. A 3-pointer by Bergersen punctuated a 12-2 burst, pulling Boise State to 54-51 with 8:10 left.
Bestor stalled the Broncos' momentum, hitting three 3-pointers in two minutes to offset 3-pointers by Jackson and Washington. But Bergersen, behind a double screen, hit a 3-pointer to pull the Broncos within 67-64 with 2:41 left.
The Aggies maintained their composure. Keys answered with a driving layup and New Mexico State made seven of eight free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.
The Aggies had jumped to a 19-9 lead as Keys and Channing each connected twice from 3-point range in the first 10 minutes.
Boise State closed within 29-22 only to see New Mexico State put together a 7-0 burst. But the Broncos scored the last six points of the period, including an 18-foot jumper from the corner by Bergersen to pull within 36-28 at halftime.
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