LAS CRUCES  (Dec. 1) — The New Mexico State men’s basketball team handed Southern Mississippi (6-1) its first loss of the season with a 68-60 decision. The Aggies stayed perfect inside the Pan American Center with its fourth win of the year (4-4).

Sophomore guard Daniel Mullings recorded his first double-double of the season with 21 points and 11 rebounds. He was 6-of-9 from the field and 9-of-10 from the free-throw line. It was Mullings’ third 20-point game of the season. Freshman center Sim Bhullar contributed a career-high 17 points and seven rebounds on a 7-of-8 showing from the field.

The Aggies led for the entire game and shot 56.4 percent from field (22-of-39). NM State had a 16-point lead, 36-20, with 3:26 remaining in the first half following a Mullings dunk.

The Aggies had a 39-28 halftime lead behind 11 points from Bhullar. He was 5-for-6 from the field to lead NM State to a 62.5 field goal percentage (15-of-24). Mullings added nine points on 4-of-5 shooting along with a game-high five rebounds. NM State posted a 24-8 advantage in points in the paint with junior center Tshilidzi Nephawe contributing six points.

In the second half, the Aggies posted their second 16-point advantage, 50-34, after a Bhullar dunk with 12:10 to play. The Golden Eagles closed the gap to eight points, but the Aggies sealed the win with only one turnover in the last four minutes of regulation.

 SOUTHERN MISS. (6-1)
Davis 3-6 2-2 9, Mills 5-7 2-3 12, McGill 0-3 0-0 0, Brooks 0-11 0-0 0, Craig 3-11 6-6 12, Watson 3-7 2-2 11, Jenkins 1-6 0-0 2, Boardingham 0-1 1-2 1, Edwin 3-3 0-0 7, Carey 2-2 2-2 6. Totals 20-57 15-17 60.
NEW MEXICO ST. (4-4)
Sy 3-7 0-0 7, Watson 2-4 3-5 7, Nephawe 2-6 2-3 6, Ross-Miller 1-3 4-4 6, Mullings 6-9 9-10 21, Bhullar 7-8 3-6 17, Aronis 0-0 0-0 0, Weary 0-0 0-0 0, de Rouen 1-2 2-4 4. Totals 22-39 23-32 68.
Halftime: New Mexico St. 39-28. 3-Point Goals: Southern Miss. 5-18 (Watson 3-4, Edwin 1-1, Davis 1-1, Jenkins 0-4, Brooks 0-8), New Mexico St. 1-5 (Sy 1-3, Mullings 0-2). Fouled Out: Davis. Rebounds: Southern Miss. 26 (Mills 8), New Mexico St. 34 (Mullings 11). Assists: Southern Miss. 5 (Watson 2), New Mexico St. 11 (Watson 5). Total Fouls: Southern Miss. 26, New Mexico St. 13. A: 5,206.