LAS VEGAS – The University of San Diego men's basketball team (4-2) cut a 20-point deficit to six in the second half, but New Mexico State (2-1) held on for the win on day one of the Las Vegas Classic, 90-77.
 
Led by five in double figures, the Aggies shot 54.5% from the floor (36-66) and 54.5% (12-22) from three-point range.
 
Fifth year guard Jase Townsend led USD with a season-high 24 points, shooting 7-of-11 from the floor. He was a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line and added a team-high three steals.
 
Senior Marcellus Earlington added 15 points in the loss, making 4-of-6 shot attempts. Graduate Jaiden Delaire compiled 13 points and five rebounds on the night.
 
USD drops to 4-2 on the season, and will face Nicholls tomorrow at 4:00 PM.    
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• New Mexico State connected on three straight triples to take an early 16-4 lead. USD answered with three-pointers from Earlington and Sigu Jawara.
• A triple from Nic Lynch, a layup from Eric Williams, and two Wayne McKinney free throws cut the deficit to five. New Mexico State's Xavier Pinson started 5-of-5 from long range, extending the Aggies lead to 31-19.
• Townsend scored the last six points of the half for USD over the last 3:29. New Mexico State led at halftime, 41-25, after shooting 9-of-16 (56%) from long range.  
• Townsend buried two early triples in the second half. With 12:02 left, McKinney hit from long range to cut the deficit to 11.  
• After New Mexico State extended the lead to 15, San Diego battled back. Over the last 10:31 of the game, Townsend, Earlington, and Delaire scored all 31 points for the Toreros.
• After trailing by as many as 20 in the second half, USD chopped the deficit to six after two Townsend free throws with 3:59 remaining.
• The Aggies ended the game 8-of-8 from the floor to seal the win.

 
TORERO TIDBITS

• Exactly a year ago today, Townsend scored a season-high 25 points in Orleans Arena. He's now second on the team with 16.2 points per game.
• USD made 19-of-20 free throw attempts (95%).
• The Aggies dished 25 assists compared to San Diego's 12.
• Earlington is up to 995 career points after tonight.
• Williams Jr. led all players with 12 rebounds. He came into the contest ranking top-5 nationally in rebounds per game.
• After scoring 13 tonight, Jaiden Delaire now has 984 career points.
• New Mexico State shot 69% (20-29) in the second half.

 
UP NEXT
San Diego draws Nicholls tomorrow at 4:00 PM. The Toreros hold a 1-0 lead in the all-time series, winning a 2016 matchup by a score of 81-72.