By KRWG News
Las Cruces – Jahmar Young scored 19 points to help New Mexico State snap top-seeded Utah State's 17-game winning streak with a 69-63 upset Saturday night in the Western Athletic Conference tournament title game.
Troy Gillenwater 15 added 15 points and Jonathan Gibson 14 for the Aggies (22-11), who allowed only five turnovers in a physical game to Utah State's nine.
Young scored consecutive baskets to spark a 14-4 run late in the game that turned a 51-46 deficit into a 60-55 lead for New Mexico State. The 6-foot-5 junior point guard, who was voted the tourney MVP, hit a basket with 3.8 seconds left in the semifinals Friday night to knock off second-seeded Nevada 80-79.
Jared Quayle had 25 points, Nate Bendall 16 and Tai Wesley 13 for Utah State (27-7). The Aggies (22-11) were awarded a No. 12 seed for the NCAA tournament and will meet No. 5 Michigan State (24-8) on Friday in Spokane, Wash. It's the first meeting between the Aggies and the Spartans. It's also the 18th NCAA tournament appearance for New Mexico State, which famously became known as the Amazing Aggies during the school's run to the 1970 Final Four under former coach Lou Henson.