LAS CRUCES, N.M., March 3 (UPI) -- Brockeith Pane gave Utah State a four-point lead with 14 seconds to play Wednesday and the No. 21 Aggies fought off New Mexico State 58-54.
Utah State had a nine-point lead early in the second half but New Mexico State battled back to within two when Tshilidzi Nephawe converted a dunk with 24 seconds to go.
After Pane then made his two foul shots, New Mexico State missed a 3-pointer and a tip-in try.
Utah State, the runaway champion of the Western Athletic Conference, won its fifth straight since an unexpected setback against Idaho. The Aggies' only other losses this season have come against BYU and Georgetown.
Pane scored 12 points to lead Utah State (27-3, 14-1 WAC). Tai Wesley had 11 points while both Nate Bendall and Tyler Newbold had 10.
New Mexico State (14-16, 8-7) was led by Troy Gillenwater with 17.
