Nick Johnson scored a career-high 19 points to lead Arizona to a hard-fought 83-76 victory over host New Mexico State on Tuesday.

Jesse Perry added 15 points and 12 rebounds as the Wildcats (5-2) snapped a two-game losing streak.

Wendell McKines scored a career-high 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Aggies (5-2).

Arizona, which fell out of the national rankings after consecutive losses to Mississippi State and San Diego State, received quite a battle from the Aggies in front of a raucous crowd at the Pan American Center.

The Aggies led 58-56 on Hamidu Rahman’s basket with 11:31 to play before Arizona’s Kyle Fogg responded with a 3-pointer to start a 14-2 run. The Wildcats had a 10-point lead after Josiah Turner hit two free throws with 7:33 remaining.

Christian Kabongo scored seven of his 15 points in an 80-second stretch that pulled the Aggies within 79-76 with 1:04 remaining before Arizona put the game away with four free throws in the final 21 seconds.

Turner and Solomon Hill tallied 12 points apiece for Arizona, and Rahman added 13 points for New Mexico State.

The Aggies came out fast with McKines scoring eight points during a game-opening 10-2 run and never trailed until Johnson hit a 3-pointer to give the Wildcats a 22-19 lead midway through the half.

Arizona led 44-40 at halftime.