New Mexico St. holds off Grand Canyon, 74-70; now 9-0 in WAC

Feb 11, 2018, 04:34 am

LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- Jemerrio Jones scored 27 points and matched his career high by snaring 20 rebounds and New Mexico State thrilled a packed home-court crowd by coming from behind to beat Grand Canyon, 74-70 Saturday night to remain unbeaten in the Western Athletic Conference.

Grand Canyon, which was upset Thursday by UT-Rio Grande Valley, falls to fourth in the WAC behind Seattle and Utah Valley with four losses in conference.

The Antelopes held a 10-point lead, 63-53 after Keonta Vernon scored at the basket with 7:52 left. Jones answered with three straight field goals. After Vernon hit the first of two free throws, A.J. Harris made two free throws and knocked down a trey to tie the game and Zach Lofton put the Aggies ahead, 66-64 with two more free throws. Harris' layup with 1:49 left put New Mexico State up for good, 71-69.

Lofton and Harris both contributed 15 points for New Mexico State (22-3, 9-0).

Oscar Frayer scored 23 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Grand Canyon (17-9, 6-4). Vernon and Alessandro Lever each added 13 points.