Fresno State pulls off rally, tops New Mexico State at Cancun Challenge

FRESNO STATE 81, NEW MEXICO STATE 76 (OT)

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MX — Fresno State hit nine free throws in the final 2:19 of overtime as the Bulldogs outlasted New Mexico State in Riviera Division action at the Men’s Cancun Challenge.

The Bulldogs (3-1) will face James Madison on Wednesday for the Riviera Division championship; the Aggies (3-3) play Southern Illinois in the third-place game.

Isaiah Hill had 21 points for Fresno State; Donavan Yap Jr. added 20 points and Xavier DuSell closed with 12 points. New Mexico State had a 73-72 lead after a 3-pointer from Robert Carpenter, but went quiet on offense over the stretch run.

Fresno State trailed for most of the first half, down 19-14 at one point, before coming back to take a 23-21 lead with 5:08 remaining on a layup from Isaiah Pope. New Mexico State reasserted itself with a late push and took a 32-28 lead into halftime.

Hill hit a 3-pointer with 20 seconds left in regulation to force overtime — he scored 10 points in the last 2:42 of the second half to keep the Bulldogs in range.

Carpenter had 20 points for the Aggies; Jaden Harris scored 17 points and Christian Cook added 15 points.

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