JACKSONVILLE – Behind senior Matt Mayers' career-high 18 points, Jax State brought an end to Middle Tennessee's three-game winning streak with a 76-68 victory over the Blue Raiders at Pete Mathews Coliseum Wednesday.
 
Despite MTSU (11-16, 5-7 CUSA) connecting on a dozen three-pointers, more than any opponent this season, Jax State (13-14, 5-7 CUSA) still managed to lead for more than 30 minutes en route to the home win.
 
Coming off a 41-point game and being named the league's Player of the Week, MTSU's Jestin Porter was held to just five points as the Gamecocks eliminated one of the Blue Raiders best options. On the flip side, the Gamecocks were treated to a career night from Westchester, New York's Matt Mayers who led the way with 18 points and six boards in 16 minutes of action off the bench. His previous collegiate best came with 16 points against St. Francis while at Robert Morris in 2021.
 
Behind Mayers, KyKy Tandy finished with 11 points and Ivan Reynolds, who played a large role in slowing down MTSU's Porter defensively, finished with 10. In addition to nine more triples than Jax State, the Blue Raiders also shot a better overall percentage and dished more assists, but the Gamecocks pulled down 40 rebounds and converted on 25 of 30 foul shots.
 
MTSU grabbed its largest lead of the night shortly before halftime with a 28-25 advantage, before Jax State reeled off a 10-2 run in the final minutes leading to the break.
 
In the second half, the Gamecocks maintained a five-to-seven point margin throughout thanks in large part to Mayers who came alive for 16 of his 18 points with a 6-for-8 shooting half.
 
The Gamecocks draw back even with MTSU in the league standings at 5-7 and match the win totals of Liberty and New Mexico State with five games remaining. Jax State heads to Miami, Fla., to meet FIU on Saturday.