Las Cruces, NM -- Buck Pierce threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns in leading the New Mexico State Aggies to a 22-18 victory over the Troy State Trojans in Sun Belt Conference action from Aggie Memorial Stadium.

Pierce finished the game 22-of-34 with an interception and 12 rushing yards on nine carries. His main target was Tim Tolber, who grabbed five balls for 48 yards. Muammar Ali paced the Aggies' (1-2, 1-0 SBC) ground attack with 50 yards on 18 carries.

DeWhitt Betterson led the Trojans (2-1, 0-1) in defeat with 137 rushing yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. Aaron Leak had a solid game under center, as he completed 10-of-19 passes for 165 yards and a score.

New Mexico State was the only team able to come up with any points in the first quarter with a Ryan Guardia 39-yard field goal.

The Trojans took the lead midway through the second quarter behind a Betterson one-yard touchdown run.

The Aggies responded late in the half with a Jeremy Lawson 14-yard touchdown pass from Pierce, giving them a 9-7 lead at the break due to a missed extra- point.

New Mexico State added to its lead in the third quarter with a pair of field goals. Guardia hit from 31 and 27 yards away, putting the Aggies ahead 15-7 going into the fourth quarter.

The Trojans knotted the game early in the final quarter with a James Cray 33- yard touchdown pass from Leak, which was followed by a successful two-point conversion.

Troy State than went ahead midway through the fourth quarter with a Greg Whibbs 34-yard field goal.

The Aggies, however, had the final say, as a Samuel Jones seven-yard touchdown pass from Pierce late in the game was the decider in a 22-18 New Mexico State victory.