Albuquerque, N.M. • Abel Porter’s 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds left and just as the shot clock expired gave Utah State a 68-66 win Saturday over New Mexico.
With the Lobos (9-11, 3-5 Mountain West) leading 66-65, Anthony Mathis was called for a controversial backcourt violation with 31 seconds left.
The Aggies (15-5, 5-2) 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.
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.