JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The first place Jacksonville State Men's Basketball team looks to ride its eight-game winning streak on the road when it takes on Sam Houston on Thursday in Huntsville, Texas. 
 
Jax State (17-7, 9-2 CUSA) vs Sam Houston (8-16, 1-10 CUSA)
When: Thursday, February 13 | 6:30 PM
Where: Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum | Huntsville, Texas
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Tickets: Click Here
TV: ESPN+ 
Radio: Listen to all the action on the Gamecock Sports Network as "The Voice" Mike Parris returns behind the mic for his 42nd season calling play-by-play action of Gamecock Basketball. Anchor stations for the Gamecock Sports Network include 91.9 WLJS (Jacksonville), WVOK 97.9 (Anniston/Oxford), WKXX 102.9 (Attalla/Gadsden), 95.5 WRBZ (Montgomery/Wetumpka), 95.3/94.7 WCRL (Oneonta), 97.7 WKXM (Winfield) and 107.1 WRAB (Arab).
 
 
Jax State Notes
 
 
Pierre Picks Up CUSA, National Honors
With his 32 ppg average across two games on Feb. 6 and 8, Jaron Pierre Jr. earned his second CUSA Player of the Week honor this season. With his performance, he also secured the title of Lute Olson Player of the Week. On Nov. 18 earlier this season, Pierre was selected CUSA Player of the Week, alongside the Oscar Robertson and Lou Henson Player of the Week.
 
First Things First
Jax State enters Thursday's contest against Sam Houston in sole possession of first place in Conference USA. The Gamecocks are at least two games ahead of the rest of Conference USA. Jax State's winning streak includes a 6-0 CUSA record at the Pete Mathews Coliseum halfway through the conference slate. 
 
Hot Hands
Entering the weekend, Jax State is riding an eight-game winning streak, the longest streak in CUSA and the eighth longest active streak in the NCAA. Jax State looks to earn their longest winning streak since 2021-22 when the Gamecocks won 10 games in a row. Jax State made an appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2021-22.
 
In the Polls
For the first time since March 4, 2019, Jax State is ranked in the College Insider Mid Major poll. The Gamecocks rank 18th and are one of two CUSA teams in the poll, joining Liberty. The Gamecocks rank of 18th is the highest ranking in program history. 
 
Gamecocks Storm From Behind Against WKU
On Saturday, Feb. 8, Jax State found itself trailing Western Kentucky by as many as 19 points before rallying from behind and pulling off an 85-83 victory at The Pete. The 19-point deficit is the largest deficit faced by Jax State in any game this season.
 
JP in the Ranks
Through 24 games this season, Jax State guard Jaron Pierre Jr. ranks in the top 10 nationally in both Total Points (8th) and PPG (6th). Pierre's 21.3 points per game lead Conference USA and put him among the premier scorers in college basketball.  
 
A Career Night
Jaron Pierre Jr. set The Pete on fire with a 36-point performance against Middle Tennessee on Feb. 6. Pierre's new career high helped propel the Gamecocks to a 77-63 statement victory over the Blue Raiders in Jacksonville. The redshirt senior also added five rebounds and four assists on 10-of-16 shooting from beyond the arc. and 13-of-24 from the field.
 
Defending the Pete
Jax State is 11-0 so far this season in home games at the Pete Mathews Coliseum in Jacksonville. Jax State is the only CUSA school to boast an undefeated home record so far this season, outlasting travel partner Kennesaw State. The Owls lost their first home game of the season on Jan. 30 to Liberty

Up Next
The Gamecocks cap off their road trip at Louisiana Tech on Saturday.