JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - The first place Jacksonville State Men's Basketball team returns to The Pete on Thursday when it welcomes New Mexico State to town for a 6 p.m. tipoff.
 
 
Jax State (18-8, 10-3 CUSA) vs New Mexico State (13-12, 6-6 CUSA)
When: Thursday, February 20 | 6:00 PM
Where: Pete Mathews Coliseum | Jacksonville, Ala.
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
 
 
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
 
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. 
 
First Things First
Jax State enters Thursday's contest against New Mexico State in sole possession of first place in Conference USA. The Gamecocks boast a one game advantage over Liberty and a 1.5 game lead over MTSU with five games left in the Conference USA regular season slate.
 
Streak Snapped at Sam Houston
Heading into the Sam Houston contest last Thursday, Jax State was riding an eight-game winning streak, the nation's fifth longest winning streak. The last place Bearkats outscored Jax State 14-3 over the final six minutes of the game on the way to a 66-61 upset victory of the first place Gamecocks in Huntsville.
 
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 (4th) and PPG (3rd). Pierre's 21.7 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.
 
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.
 
Up Next
Following the NMSU game, Jac State has just four regular season contests left, with the next game coming on Saturday against UTEP in Jacksonville.