Aggies handle McNeese State

By: Anthony Esparza

Bandja Sy of New Mexico State drives to the basket on a layup attempt during an NCAA basketball game against McNeese State at the Pan American Center on Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011, in Las Cruces, N.M. Zack Ponce

The New Mexico State men’s basketball team goes into the Christmas break riding a three-game win streak, after defeating McNeese State 82-62 Wednesday at the Pan American Center.

The Aggies got a spark off the bench from Bandja Sy in the first half. The junior forward connected on five of six shot attempts and scored 11 points in the opening half.  

“I’m not really looking to score,” Sy said of his approach to the game. “I’m just trying to execute the game plan and take open shots.”

NM State coach Marvin Menzies said Sy has been working on improving his mid-range shooting ability.

“When he shoots it in rhythm like that, he’s really good,” Menizes said of Sy. “He had a tendency to drive it too deep and get into trouble last year, so we’ve been working hard on correcting that and he’s reaping the fruits of his labor right now."

Senior forward Wendell McKines had an exceptional night, finishing with 23 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. McKines is now third all-time on NM State’s career rebounding list with 882.

Although the Aggies never trailed in the contest, the Cowboys stayed within striking distance through much of the second half. However, turnovers plagued McNeese State throughout the game and the team was only able to cut the Aggie lead to nine.

NM State struggled with turnovers as well, finishing with 17 on the night. Aggie coach Marvin Menizes said the team needs to work on protecting the ball in order to be an elite team when conference play starts. 

“You can’t be a championship team playing that careless with the ball,” Menzies said. “But that’s something that’s very coachable and correctable, so that’s the bright side of it.”

There may not be a bright side to the injury suffered by freshman guard Terrel de Rouen, who left the game in obvious pain early in the second half. De Rouen later returned to the sideline on crutches.

“The early diagnosis is it could be an ACL, but we’re not sure of the severity,” Menzies said. “He’s going to get an MRI in the morning and we’ll say a prayer tonight and hopefully it’s not something that will keep him out too long.”

With the win, NM State improves to 8-4 on the season. The Aggies return to the Pan Am Center on Dec. 28, when the New Mexico Lobos visit Las Cruces to renew the Rio Grande Rivalry.