![\"Sam](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Sam_Houston.png\")
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Next Game:<\/p>\n
vs. Sam Houston<\/p>\n
3\/11\/2026 | 7:00 p.m.<\/p>\n
\n Mar. 11 (Wed) \/ 7:00 p.m.
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\n vs.\u00a0Sam Houston
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History <\/a><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n HUNTSVILLE,\u00a0Ala.\u00a0\u2013\u00a0NM State (16\u201315) opened its run at the Conference USA Tournament with a hard-fought 68\u201363 victory over Jacksonville State\u00a0tonight\u00a0inside Propst Arena. With the win, the Aggies move on to the\u00a0quarterfinal\u00a0round where they will face No. 2 seed Sam Houston on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. MT.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Aggies wasted little time finding their rhythm offensively, coming out firing from\u00a0long\u00a0range. NM State opened the contest by knocking down four of its first five attempts from beyond the arc, with Gabe Pickens<\/a> accounting for two of those early triples to help the Aggies\u00a0establish\u00a0momentum in the opening minutes. The early perimeter success allowed NM State to dictate the pace while building an early advantage.\u00a0<\/p>\n Jacksonville State answered with a push midway through the first half, tightening the margin as both teams battled through a physical stretch on both ends of the floor. However, the Aggies\u00a0maintained\u00a0control by continuing to generate quality looks and converting at the free throw line. Behind steady offensive production and\u00a0timely\u00a0defensive stops, NM State carried a slim lead into the halftime break.\u00a0<\/p>\n Coming out of the locker room, the Gamecocks mounted a second-half rally and briefly threatened to swing the momentum. The Aggies responded with poise, leaning on their backcourt to steady the offense while finding\u00a0timely\u00a0scoring when it mattered most. Pickens continued his efficient shooting night while Jemel Jones<\/a> provided key baskets during crucial stretches to keep NM State in front.\u00a0<\/p>\n Down the stretch, the Aggies delivered defensively to preserve the lead. NM State forced difficult possessions for Jacksonville State in the final minutes and converted\u00a0at\u00a0the line to hold off the Gamecocks’ late push, securing the five-point tournament victory.\u00a0<\/p>\n Jones led the Aggies offensively with 17 points while Pickens delivered his most productive performance of the season to help power NM State to the opening-round win.\u00a0<\/p>\n NUMBERS OF NOTE\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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