Games 3 and 4

Aggies Defeat McGill Alums on Foreign Tour

SAINT LAMBERT, Quebec (Aug. 11) – The New Mexico State men’s basketball team beat an alumni team from McGill University, 98-93, in overtime in an exhibition scrimmage on the Champlain College campus in Saint Lambert, Quebec.

In overtime, the Aggies scored the first seven points to help secure the win. NM State had five players in double-figures with freshman guard Christian Kabongo posting a team-high 19 points. Sophomore forward Tyrone Watson had 18 while junior center Hamidu Rahman scored 17. Junior guard Hernst Laroche finished with 15 points, including two free throws at the end of regulation to force the extra time, as senior guard Gordo Castillo tallied 14.

“This was a tough one,” head coach Marvin Menzies said. “You could see the fatigue in the guys, and it was evident in their play because they couldn’t go long stretches like they did yesterday. We settled into a nice groove at the end of the game, and this team (McGill) had a couple more additional players that play overseas and they were very tough.

“With an overtime game, I think that’s great experience for us, and to be able to pull out a win this early in the year is very valuable.”

After the first 20 minutes of play, Kabongo led the Aggies with 11 points. He had a quick start and scored the first six Aggie points. Castillo added nine points, which included three 3-pointers, while Watson contributed eight but the Aggies were down six, 46-40, at the break.

In addition, freshman guard Drew Herig scored his first basket in an Aggie uniform today, which just happens to be his birthday. Also, sophomore guard Bandja Sy did not play after suffering a fall in last night’s contest against Vanier.

The Aggies continue exhibition play tonight at 6 p.m. against Dawson College.

New Mexico State      1          2          OT      Total Points

Christian Kabongo*      11       3          5          19

Hernst Laroche*          0          14        1         15

Tshilidzi Nephawe*      1         2          0          3

Gordo Castillo*           9          0          5         14

B.J. West*                  1          5          0         6

Drew Herig                 2          0          0         2

Hamidu Rahman           6         9          2          17

Tyrone Watson             8          6          4         18

Abdoulaye N’doye       2         2          0          4

Totals                          40        41        17       98

Foul Trouble Hampers Aggies in Game Four

MONTREAL, Quebec (Aug. 11)-The New Mexico State men’s basketball team was edged, 74-68, by Dawson College in its fourth exhibition game of the preseason foreign tour in Montreal, Quebec.

Sophomore forward Tyrone Watson led the Aggies in scoring with 15 points while freshman guard Christian Kabongo supplied 14. Senior guard Gordo Castillo and junior guard Hernst Laroche were both in double-figures with 13 and 12, respectively.

“I didn’t like the outcome but it was a real valuable lesson,” head coach Marvin Menzies said. “We had opportunities to win the game, but the kids have to learn to play with a lead and take care of the ball. We’re a little depleted with Chili (Nephawe) and Bandja (Sy) out, but it’s good for the other guys to get some more minutes.”

Foul trouble hurt the Aggies in the second half with Laroche, Watson and junior center Hamidu Rahman fouling out. NM State had posted a 42-30 halftime lead behind 28 points from the Canadians with Laroche and Watson scoring 10 each, and Kabongo adding eight points but the Aggies just couldn’t hang on for the win.

“Unfortunately, I think they hit the wall down the stretch and that hurt us,” Menzies said. “That team (Dawson) was the most athletic team, and they were by far the best talent that we’ve played at this point. That gave us a different look and that was good. We’ve got to get them some rest, and then we play a late game tomorrow, and the guys have to fight through it (fatigue). This is what it’s all about, that’s why we came here to get some lessons in, and we got a good one tonight.”

Additionally, Laroche, a Montreal, Quebec native, was playing against his older brother, Evans, a forward for DC that scored 10 points.

The Aggies continue exhibition play Thursday, Aug. 12, against the Kia All-Stars in Trois-Rivieres at 6 p.m.

New Mexico State      1          2          Total Points

Christian Kabongo*      8         6          14

Hernst Laroche*          10        2          12

Hamidu Rahman*         4         0          4

Gordo Castillo*           7          6          13

B.J. West*                  0          7          7

Tyrone Watson10        5          15

Drew Herig                 3          0          3         

Tshilidzi Nephawe        0         0          0

Makhtar Diop               0         0          0

Abdoulaye N’doye       0         0          0

Totals                          42        26        68