Jones has 15 points, 23 rebounds; New Mexico St. beats UMKC

Feb 25, 2018, 04:40 am

LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- Jemerrio Jones had 15 points, a career-high 23 rebounds and seven assists and New Mexico State never trailed in its 82-58 win over Missouri-Kansas City on Saturday night.

Eli Chuha also scored 15 points, on 7-of-9 shooting, while Zach Lofton and AJ Harris had 13 points apiece for New Mexico State (24-5, 11-2 Western Athletic Conference). The Aggies clinched the conference title outright and, after wrapping up its regular-season schedule against Texas-Rio Grande Valley next Saturday, will play No. 8 seed Chicago State in the first round of the WAC tournament on March 8.

Johnathon Wilkins hit a 3-pointer to open the scoring, Harris added two more 3s during a 10-3 spurt that made it 16-5 and Jones hit a jumper that pushed New Mexico State's lead into double figures for good with eight minutes left in the first half.

Brandon McKissic and Marco Smith scored nine points apiece to lead UMKC (10-20, 5-8). The Kangaroos had their four-game win streak snapped.