New Mexico State asserted its dominance from the opening tip, steamrolling Delaware 97-68 at the Bob Carpenter Center. The Aggies' impressive performance was fueled by a balanced attack, with four players scoring in double figures. Jemel Jones led the charge, tallying 19 points and dishing out 5 assists to pace New Mexico State.
The Aggies came out scorching hot, racing to a 49-30 halftime lead behind 55% shooting from the field. Delaware, meanwhile, struggled to find its rhythm, shooting just 36% in the first half. Tyler Houser was a bright spot for the Blue Hens, scoring 13 of his game-high 25 points in the first 20 minutes. However, his efforts were not enough to keep Delaware within striking distance.
In the second half, New Mexico State continued to pour it on, outscoring Delaware 48-38 to seal the 29-point victory. The Aggies' offense was nearly unstoppable, with Jayland Randall and Elijah Elliott joining Jones in double figures. Randall chipped in 15 points, while Elliott added 14. The trio's combined efforts allowed New Mexico State to maintain a comfortable lead throughout the contest.
Delaware's Christian Bliss and Justyn Fernandez provided some spark off the bench, scoring 19 and 14 points, respectively. However, the Blue Hens' defensive struggles and inability to contain the Aggies' balanced attack ultimately proved too much to overcome.
The win marks a Quad 4 victory for New Mexico State, which could have implications for the Aggies' tournament resume. With a current net ranking of 126, New Mexico State want to build on this momentum as it navigates the remainder of its schedule. For Delaware, the loss represents a Quad 3 defeat, which may not significantly harm its tournament chances but does highlight the need for improvement, particularly on the defensive end.
As the season progresses, New Mexico State will aim to leverage its strong performance against Delaware as a springboard for future success. The Aggies' ability to dominate on the road against a struggling opponent is a positive sign, and their balanced attack will undoubtedly pose challenges for upcoming opponents. With this convincing victory, New Mexico State takes a significant step forward in its pursuit of a strong tournament resume, while Delaware want to regroup and refocus in its quest for improvement.