New Mexico Beats Long Beach State, 75-68 Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images Long Beach State's Casper Ware tried to pass against New Mexico's defense of Cameron Bairstow (41) and Drew Gordon. PORTLAND, Ore. - The signs in the stands at the Rose Garden said "Woof!" and that is what New Mexico fans did as the final seconds ticked away. They barked and screamed and chanted, turning one corner of the stands here into the red sea of celebration that is their home arena, the Pit. Behind another double-double (18 points, 13 rebounds) from forward Drew Gordon and the usual dominant defense, New Mexico, seeded fifth in the West Region, outlasted 12th-seeded Long Beach State, 75-68, on Thursday. The Lobos (28-6) will play No. 4 Louisville on Saturday. If Thursday's performance serves as any indication, perhaps New Mexico will end years of perennial N.C.A.A. tournament disappointment this season. With Gordon inside and guard Kendall Williams on the perimeter, for this weekend and maybe next, they stand with more than a fighting chance. At halftime Thursday, New Mexico led, 33-29, a score reflective of nearly identical statistics. Of note: the Lobos, who play defense like the 1985 Chicago Bears, contained the N.B.A.-caliber guard Casper Ware, who took only five shotsand scored 7 points in the half. "He's got something you just don't teach," Coach Steve Alford said of Williams, who defended Ware. He has that extra gear. He's the fastest player I ever coached. Alford instilled that defensive mind-set when he arrived in New Mexico five seasons ago. His Lobos teams are 58-0 when opponents fail to score 60 points. This season, they held opponents" under that number, at 59.1 points on average. We must have been the lowest of the five seeds, because we just beat the best No. 12 team," Alford said. While the resurgence at U.N.L.V. and another solid season for San Diego State seemed to overshadow the Lobos, they won the Mountain West conference tournament, besting both of their higher-profile rivals. New Mexico entered the N.C.A.A. tournament on a five-game win streak. The Lobos stuck Williams to Ware, and Williams stalked him, bumped and bodied him, even received help whenever Ware ventured near the basket. For most of the first half and the beginning of the second, Ware went about 25 minutes without scoring. Two of his free throws, though, tied the game at 59. The 49ers took the lead when swingman James Ennis picked up a loose ball, sprinted, leapt and threw down a statement slam. Williams scored multiple late baskets to continue to put New Mexico ahead. The Lobos retained their composure, as Long Beach State, desperate for its first N.C.A.A. tournament win since 1973, played absent fear in the closing minutes, as momentum swung back and forth, before New Mexico ultimately advanced.