LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Jacksonville State women's basketball officially swept the season series with New Mexico State in Saturday's 60-51 victory at the Pan American Center. The Gamecock defense forced 18 turnovers and totaled 11 steals and four blocks, directly resulting in 24 key points off turnovers. 
 
"I'm so happy for this group," head coach Rick Pietri said. "Thursday wasn't very good. To come back after 48 hours and find a way to win it and win it the way we did, I couldn't be more pleased for our kids.
 
"We just tried to be prepared defensively in terms of what the other team was doing," Pietri said. "For the most part, our kids were in the right spots and the right places. Once we got possession of it, we did a great job of getting it to the other end of the floor. Our kids deserve all the credit for that."
 
Jax State (11-16, 6-9) led for most of the opening period thanks to a solid start. Two three-pointers fell in and seven points off six turnovers helped out, but a late burst by the Aggies (11-17, 5-10) saw them tie it at 14 at quarter's end. The Gamecock defense kept shining in the second, posting four steals and nine more points off turnovers. A late 8-2 run capped off the first half, giving the visitors a 31-27 advantage.
 
The Red-and-White continued their work early in the second half, opening on a 6-0 spurt before NMSU battled back again. The two sides swapped buckets throughout the frame, leading to a 42-37 Jax State lead going into the final stanza. A consistent offensive attack continued in the fourth and the Gamecocks built as much as a 13-point cushion, eventually coasting to a 60-51 triumph. 
 
Samiya Steele scored a season-high 14 points on 4-of-6 shooting and added four assists. Madison McCoy again finished in double figures, ending with ten points and four boards, and Asia Barclay had an eight-point, three-rebound day. 
 
"It's the best (Steele) has played since I can't remember when," Pietri said. "She played really well early this year, but today was the best she's played in the conference. We needed that. We spoke with our point guards and told them that what they provided for us wasn't good enough on Thursday. I thought both she and Elsie Harris did a great job, but Samiya stepped up today."
 
Jacksonville State was out-rebounded 33-24 but out-shot New Mexico State 39.7% to 36.4% from the field. In addition, Pietri's squad tallied 33 bench points, 32 points in the paint, and 15 fastbreak points. 
 
The Gamecocks return home next weekend to wrap up the regular season. Saturday's Senior Day game at Pete Mathews Coliseum versus Sam Houston will tip-off at 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the Gamecock Sports Network.
 
Links to listen, watch, or follow along with live stats for that game 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).

To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their Facebook (Jacksonville State Women's Basketball), Instagram (@JaxStateWBB), and X (@JaxStateWBB) accounts.