HONOLULU — Zach Lofton scored 15 points and led three New Mexico State starters in double-digit scoring and the Aggies handed No. 6 Miami its first defeat of the season after picking up a 63-54 win in the Diamond Head Classic semifinals on Saturday night.
The Hurricanes’ defeat leaves Villanova, Arizona State and TCU as the lone undefeated Division I teams in the nation.
Loftonm who scored nine of his total points in the second half, also pulled down nine rebounds with three assists and three steals, while Sidy N’Dir added 10 points and five rebounds and A.J. Harris ended with 10 points for New Mexico State, which won four straight.
Eli Chuha and Jemerrio Jones each grabbed eight rebounds in the win for the Aggies (11-2) who was beating a ranked team for the first time in 10 seasons.
DJ Vasiljevic led Miami with 15 points, Bruce Brown added 13 points and seven rebounds, and Dewan Huell had 10 points and nine boards in the defeat.
New Mexico State jumped in front on a basket by Johnathon Wilkins with 3:43 left in the first half at 23-21 and led the game the rest of the way.
As a team, Miami shot just 34 percent (18-53) from the field and went 2 for 18 from 3-point range.
New Mexico State shot 36 percent (24-67) from the floor and was 7 for 25 from long-range.
