LAS CRUCES, N.M. — In an exciting matchup on Thursday night, New Mexico State emerged victorious against Sam Houston with a final score of 75-71, largely thanks to Christian Cook’s impressive performance, scoring 25 points.

Cook managed to hit 8 of his 19 attempts from the floor, including 2 baskets from beyond the arc out of 7 attempts. He also had a stellar night at the charity stripe, sinking 7 out of 8 free-throw attempts. The Aggies improved their record to 8-6, marking their first win in Conference USA play this season. Peter Filipovity contributed significantly to the team’s success, finishing the night with 20 points and securing seven rebounds. Dionte Bostick also made his mark, scoring nine points on 3 of 5 shooting from the field and converting 2 of 3 free throws.

On the opposing side, the Bearkats, now sitting at 7-7 overall and 0-1 in conference play, were led by Kalifa Sakho who tallied 16 points alongside 13 rebounds and two blocks. Cameron Huefner added to the score with 15 points, while Lamar Wilkerson also chipped in with 14 points for Sam Houston.

The Aggies held a 38-30 advantage at halftime, with Cook contributing 12 points during that period. The turning point in the second half came when Filipovity converted a free throw with just 2:29 remaining, putting New Mexico State ahead 65-64, a lead they would maintain until the final buzzer.

This victory marks a strong start for New Mexico State in the conference, showcasing the skills and resilience of the team as they look ahead to the rest of the season.