Las Cruces, N.M. • Zach Lofton made seven 3-pointers and scored 24 points and New Mexico State defeated Utah Valley 86-59 on Saturday to win its fifth straight and take sole possession of first place in the Western Athletic Conference.

Lofton, a graduate transfer from Texas Southern and former Southwestern Athletic Conference player of the year, was 7 of 13 on 3-pointers with the team 15 of 28.Sidy N'Dir added 17 points.

Lofton, N'Dir and Johnathon Wilkins scored nine points each in taking a 39-29 halftime lead. Lofton made four 3-pointers over the first eight minutes of the second half when the Aggies (17-3, 5-0) outscored the Wolverines 24-6 to lead by 28.

Kenneth Ogbe scored 13 points for Utah Valley.