Illinois State hangs on for 79-74 win over New Mexico

Dec 3, 2016, 11:01 pm

NORMAL, Ill. -- Paris Lee scored 18 points, dished out a career-high 11 assists and hit a pair of free throws with 23 seconds remaining to lift Illinois State to a 79-74 win over New Mexico on Saturday night.

Illinois State (4-2) led by as many as 10 points late in the second half before New Mexico rallied, cutting the deficit to 75-74 on Elijah Brown's 3-pointer with a minute left in the game. Lee hit a jumper at the other end to extend the Redbirds' advantage back to three, then got both free throws after being sent to the line with 23 seconds left.

New Mexico missed its last two shots, both 3-point attempts.

Deontae Hawkins added 14 points for Illinois State, Keyshawn Evans got 12 points, all from long range, and Phil Fayne had 10 rebounds.

Brown finished with 21 points to lead New Mexico (5-3) and Damien Jefferson added 12 points.