Key Highlights
- NM State went on a 10–0 run in the opening minutes, sparked by five points from Jemel Jones, to set the tone for the remainder of the half. Later, NM State pieced together another extended scoring surge that ballooned its advantage to 20 points.
- A three-pointer from Elijah Elliott in the closing seconds capped the half and sent NM State into the break with a 48–28 lead. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Aggies’ depth proved pivotal throughout the opening 20 minutes, as the bench accounted for 30 first-half points. Sam Houston showed resilience coming out of the break, trimming the Aggie lead to 10 midway through the second half. The Aggies answered with an 8–0 run to re-establish some separation, halting the Bearkats’ momentum and pushing the lead back to a comfortable margin for the remainder of the contest as they would walk away with the win. Off the bench, Elijah Elliott led all Aggies with 18 points, tying his season high.
- Jayland Randall followed with 16 points, his second-highest scoring total of the season.
- The duo has now combined to lead NM State in scoring off the bench for the second time this year. The Aggies also received balanced contributions from the starting group, as Anthony Wrzeszcz and Jemel Jones each finished with 11 points to give NM State four players in double figures. This win marks the third consecutive season the Aggies have opened league play with a victory, following last year’s conference-opening win against Sam Houston and a home victory versus UTEP during the 2023–24 season in head coach Jason Hooten’s first year.