JACKSONVILLE – A full-team performance guided Jacksonville State women's basketball to a 56-49 triumph over New Mexico State in Saturday's Conference USA affair at Pete Mathews Coliseum. Kristol Ayson and Madison McCoy had big games and an important scoring run down the stretch proved to be the difference.
 
"That is a very physical, tough team we just got through playing, and it took a tremendous effort," head coach Rick Pietri said. "In the first half, their effort was so intense it had us on our heels a bit, so in many ways I felt we were lucky to only be down four. We just got it done in the second half. They did everything they could to try to disrupt what we were doing, but we just found a way to put the ball in the goal.
 
"I'm super excited for this group of kids, that they were able to find a way to win this game," Pietri added. 
 
Jax State (8-12, 3-5) found their rhythm early on against the Aggies (9-12, 3-5). A fast-paced start saw the Red-and-White shoot 6-of-11 in the first period and, despite seven turnovers, led them to a 15-14 advantage through one. Turnovers continued to plague the Gamecocks in the second, however, as seven more lost possessions helped NMSU retake the lead. A 7-0 run by the visitors set the tone for the interval and the two teams entered the locker rooms with New Mexico State leading, 30-26. 
 
After both offenses found success in the first half, the defenses settled in in the third period. Jax State allowed just two baskets to NMSU in the third quarter and, thanks to a long scoring spurt of their own, reclaimed a 38-37 lead heading to the fourth. The two sides battled back-and-forth early on before a 9-0 run, sparked by a McCoy three, secured the squad's second straight CUSA win. 
 
Ayson had a team-leading 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting with three rebounds, three assists, and a steal. McCoy, who scored a career-high 15 points versus UTEP on Thursday, ended up with 14 points, connected on three three-pointers, and grabbed eight rebounds in the victory. Those impressive outings were imperative to Jax State toppling an experienced Aggie bunch.
 
"(McCoy) had a great week," Pietri said. "She was great on Thursday as well. This is the first time we've won back-to-back games since UAH and Life (Nov. 17-20), so we had to show that we could string together two good performances. Moving forward, that hopefully will give us some confidence to take on the road with us and find a way to win a game on the road."
 
The Gamecocks out-rebounded a much taller New Mexico State team 34-30 and won the game despite committing 23 turnovers. Jacksonville State shot 19-of-45 (42.2%) from the field, made seven threes, and totaled 17 bench points.
 
"The Pete was incredible tonight," Pietri said. "It was a great crowd. This might be the best standalone, non-Kids Day crowd we've had for a regular season game. They were into it, and they helped us win it."
 
Jax State hits the road next week for a pair of Conference USA games. They play at Sam Houston at 6:30 p.m. Thursday before taking on Western Kentucky at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Links to listen, watch, or follow along with live stats for both away matchups will be provided at JaxStateSports.com. In addition, score updates and highlights will be posted on Jax State Women's Basketball's X account (@JaxStateWBB).  

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