Las Vegas, NV (Sports Network) - Behind 16 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks from Sim Bhullar, New Mexico State earned its second straight Western Athletic Conference Tournament championship with a 64-55 decision over Texas-Arlington on Saturday.
Daniel Mullings added 16 points and Bandja Sy finished with 10 for the third- seeded Aggies (24-10), who earned an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament while also capturing their fourth conference championship.
Kevin Butler tallied 13 points and 10 rebounds for the fourth-seeded Mavericks (19-13), who will leave the WAC after just one season to join the Sun Belt Conference for the start of the 2013-14 campaign.
A closely contested first half ended with New Mexico State holding a 32-30 advantage, which ballooned to 12 points just over six minutes through the second period following a 9-0 run.
After falling behind by 13 soon after, Texas-Arlington countered with nine unanswered points to come within four at the eight minute mark and found itself within three at 56-53 with two minutes showing, but never came any closer.
The Aggies closed out the contest with free throws over the final minute.
Game Notes
New Mexico State hold an 12-2 advantage in the all-time series ... The Aggies made 20-of-33 from the free throw line ... The Mavericks were outrebounded, 41-29.
