ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Perhaps Utah State’s Abel Porter was destined to hit the game-winning 3-pointer Saturday against New Mexico.
“He’s paid his dues,” Aggies coach Craig Smith said. “And he just got a scholarship this week. Isn’t that crazy? So it’s been a big week for Able Porter.”
His shot with 1.8 seconds left and just as the shot clock expired gave Utah State a 68-66 win.
“I didn’t know exactly how much time was left, but I knew I had to shoot it,” Porter said. “There was no time to pass it. I knew there was no time to do anything else.”
With the Lobos (9-11, 3-5 Mountain West) leading 66-65, Anthony Mathis was called for a controversial over-and-back violation with 31 seconds left. Video appeared to support New Mexico’s claim that Mathis was not across halfcourt before making a pass.
“I feel like (New Orleans Saints coach) Sean Payton, so we can go ahead however we go ahead,” Lobos coach Paul Weir said. “Unfortunately, it was not over-and-back. I just watched the film.”
Lead referee Winston Stith released this statement following the game:
“Front-court status is attained once all three points are across (ball and two feet). A ball that is not in contact with a player or the playing court retains the same status as when it was last in contact with a player.”
Still, the call went the Aggies’ way and they ran the clock down, then Sam Merrill got caught on the outside and he forced a low pass to Porter, who scooped it up and fired for the game-winner.
“They basically sent three guys at Sam, which is smart,” Smith said. “And he made the great decision and Porter knocked it down.”
Mathis had a half-court shot hit iron and bounce away at the buzzer.
By pounding the ball inside to Neemias Queta and relying on Merrill, who finished with 22 points, on the perimeter, the Aggies ran off to an early 22-8 lead.
Then it was just a matter of New Mexico chiseling away at the deficit.
It helped that after missing their first nine 3-pointers, the Lobos’ Keith McGee hit one with four minutes remaining in the first half and was followed by consecutive 3s from Makuach Maluach to cut it to 27-22.
The Lobos took their first lead since the opening seconds at 62-61 after Mathis hit a 3 with 5:33 left, his fourth of the second half. He finished 16, all coming in the second half, and Carlton Bragg had 18 points.
“I thought we just finally started sharing the ball and I thought that Utah State started to wear down a little bit just from the game,” Weir said. “The game was trending our way really from halftime on. Thankfully, Anthony was able to get going there late.”
Brock Miller added 16 points for the Aggies and Porter finished with six along with four assists.
“I thought our guys played with great poise and confidence,” Smith said. “And we told them from the get-go, you just have to hang around and hang around and find a way to win at the end and fortunately for the Aggies that’s what we did.”
BIG PICTURE
Utah State: The win moves the Aggies into a third-place tie with Fresno State, which lost to Colorado State on Saturday.
New Mexico: With a win, the Lobos would have moved into a fourth-place tie with the Aggies, but the loss drops them into the bottom third of the conference.
ROAD WARRIORS
After winning five total road games in the previous two years, this win gives the Aggies five for this season already.
UP NEXT
New Mexico: Plays Feb. 2 at Fresno State.
Utah State: Home Wednesday to play San José State.
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