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RUSTON, La. — The New Mexico State Aggies stayed on the heels of Utah State in the Western Athletic Conference with a road victory over Louisiana Tech.

Hatila Passos scored 20 points and pulled down seven rebounds to lead NMSU to an 85-63 win over Louisiana Tech on Thursday.

NMSU improved to 15-12 overall and 9-3 in the WAC, and is tied for second place with Boise State, one game behind Utah State in the standings.

The Aggies shot 58.7 percent from the field and forced 18 Louisiana Tech turnovers.

NMSU head coach Marvin Menzies said he was pleased with his team's execution, especially against a tough Tech team. The Aggies outscored Tech 52-8 in the paint.

"That was the gameplan," Menzies said. "There's no doubt we wanted to go into our big men."

New Mexico used a 20-6 run late in the first half to earn a 38-24 halftime lead. Louisiana Tech (4-19, 1-10) got within single digits several times in the second half, but the Aggies then stretched their lead late in the half.

Kyle Gibson scored 20 points to lead the Bulldogs. J.C. Clark added 19 points and Orren Tims had his fourth straight double-digit game with 10 points.

Justin Hawkins had 11 points and Jonathan Gibson and Herb Pope each added 10 apiece for New Mexico. NMSU outrebounded Tech 40-29.

NMSU next plays Long Beach State in one of ESPN's "Bracket Buster" featured games Feb. 23 in Las Cruces.