Welcome to the NCAA Tournament, New Mexico State. Saturday's victory in the Western Athletic Conference tournament secured an automatic bid for the Aggies, who will make their fourth consecutive postseason appearance.
Solid defense was key to their victory. The Aggies beat Seattle 80-61 by shutting down Redhawks scoring act Isiah Umipig. He had 13 points in the title game after scoring 30 against Missouri-Kansas City in the semis.
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Now 23-10, New Mexico State won the WAC regular-season title. Tshilidzi Nephawe had 18 points and 10 rebounds in the title game and was named tournament MVP. Remi Barry had a game-high 21 points, including four 3-pointers.
But it was the Aggies' smothering zone defense and pressure that carried the day in Las Vegas.
"We had some bullet points defensively that we needed to reach, and one of those was limiting their 3-point attempts," Aggies coach Marvin Menzies said. "If Seattle is making 3s they can beat you. They can beat anybody."
New Mexico State now awaits Selection Sunday's announcement of the Field of 68 to determine their place in the NCAA Tournament field.
First-round games are Tuesday. The Field of 64 gets under way Thursday.
Contributing: Associated Press