LAS CRUCES, N.M. - As expected, second-seeded New Mexico State cruised into its first conference championship game since 2000 with an 88-69 win over sixth-seeded Boise State Friday night at the Pan American Center.
New Mexico State, will face Utah State tonight at 6 p.m. for the WAC title with the winner earning the conference's automatic bid.
New Mexico State improved to 24-8 and Boise ended its season with a 17-14 record.
The Aggies , led by Elijah Ingram's season-high 25 points on 9-for-17 shooting, shot 54 percent from the field.
The Aggies were an impressive 10-for-13 from 3-point range, as Ingram drained 5-for-6 and Ted Knauber netted 4-of-5.
Justin Hawkins added 17 points, Knauber 12 and Tyrone Nelson 10. Eric Lane and Reggie Larry led BSU with 17 points each.
WOMEN
BSU 68, FRESNO STATE 59
The Broncos, 23-8, shook off slow start to score 40 points in the second half and advance to the championship game today at noon.
Despite shooting only 35 percent in the second half, the Broncos shot 52 percent in the final 20 minutes.
Jessica Thompson, who had missed three games because of mono, picked up her game in the final 20 minutes, scoring 22 of her game-high 24 points. Thompson went 9-for-12 from the field and added four free throws.
Boise State went on an 11-0 run to snap a 57-all tie, and Thompson scored two baskets and two free throws in that stretch.
"She is a true warrior, and a great motivation to the team," BSU coach Gordy Presnell said. "As she was coming back from mono, she struggled but little by little is starting to perform at the level."
Tasha Harris contributed 11 for the Broncos.
Tierre Wilson led Fresno State with 18, Chantela Perera added 14 and Erica Henry 10.