New Mexico St. Beats UCSB to Gain Final

New Mexico State Coach Neil McCarthy calls his Aggies a team of destiny.

They provided him with additional evidence Friday night by defeating UC Santa Barbara, 67- 63, in the semifinals of the Big West basketball tournament at the Long Beach Arena. The victory put the second-seeded Aggies into the championship game against No. 1 Nevada Las Vegas today at 3 p.m.

“I’ll worry about Vegas in the morning,” McCarthy said.

Forward Willie Joseph scored 10 of the Aggies’ last 12 points, including two free throws with 12 seconds to play in a game that had been a close defensive battle throughout. It was a contest between the Aggies’ swarming matchup zone and the Gauchos’ man-to-man defense.

Fighting from behind in the second half, Santa Barbara, sparked by two three- point shots by Carrick DeHart, took a 49-46 lead.

New Mexico State (21-9) then went on a 9-point run for a 55-49 lead with 8:30 left.

But the Gauchos, who lost for the third straight year in the semifinals, came back with a jumper by Paul Johnson, a layup by Carlton Davenport and two free throws by Eric McArthur to tie the score, 55-55.

Then Joseph, who shared Aggie high-point honors with Keith Hill with 18 points apiece, took over.

Joseph scored on a drive and a baseline jumper before DeHart tied the game at 59-59. That was the last tie as Joseph made two free throws with 3:03 left and then hit a close-in one-hander with 58 seconds remaining.

Davenport cut the lead to 63-61, before Johnny Roberson came back with two free throws with :24 left. Davenport again scored to narrow it to 65-63, but the Gauchos were forced to foul again, and Joseph converted twice.

McArthur led all scorers with 24 points.