McKines guides New Mexico State past Drake 71-55

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Wendell McKines had 25 points and 12 rebounds Saturday to pace New Mexico State to a 71-55 victory over Drake.

McKines' performance was the 42nd double-double of his career and 15th this season.

Hernst Laroche scored 17 points, including three 3-pointers, as the Aggies (20-8) picked up their third consecutive victory. Daniel Mullings added 10 points.

Rayvonte Rice scored 18 points for the Bulldogs (15-13), whose two-game winning streak was snapped. Aaron Hawley hit four 3-pointers and scored 14.

New Mexico State used a 14-2 run for a 19-7 lead with 9:57 left in the first half, and it was not close thereafter.

The Aggies shot 48 percent (24 of 50) and 54 percent (7 of 13) from 3-point distance. Drake was limited to 34 percent (18 of 53) and 32 percent (7 of 22) from long range.

The BracketBusters game was the 2,500th contest in Drake's 106-year basketball history.

DRAKE (15-13)

Clarke 3-6 1-3 7, Hawley 5-14 0-0 14, Jeffers 1-4 0-0 3, Madison 2-8 4-6 8, Rice 6-15 5-7 18, Alexander 1-4 1-2 4, Welfringer 0-2 0-0 0, Woods 0-0 0-1 0, Smith 0-0 1-4 1. Totals 18-53 12-23 55.

NEW MEXICO ST. (20-8)

McKines 7-16 9-10 25, Watson 1-3 0-0 2, Rahman 3-3 3-7 9, Laroche 6-7 2-3 17, Mullings 4-9 2-2 10, Barry 0-3 0-0 0, Lewis 0-0 0-0 0, Sy 3-6 0-0 8, Nephawe 0-3 0-2 0. Totals 24-50 16-24 71.

Halftime_New Mexico St. 40-26. 3-Point Goals_Drake 7-22 (Hawley 4-11, Alexander 1-1, Jeffers 1-2, Rice 1-4, Clarke 0-1, Madison 0-1, Welfringer 0-2), New Mexico St. 7-13 (Laroche 3-3, Sy 2-3, McKines 2-5, Barry 0-1, Watson 0-1). Fouled Out_Rice. Rebounds_Drake 31 (Clarke, Hawley 6), New Mexico St. 41 (McKines 12). Assists_Drake 8 (Clarke, Madison 2), New Mexico St. 13 (Watson 7). Total Fouls_Drake 18, New Mexico St. 21. A_5,119.