JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The Jacksonville State men's basketball team looks to bounce back after suffering a 61-52 loss to New Mexico State on Thursday, The Gamecocks enter the contest in first place of the Conference USA standings
 
Jax State (18-9, 10-4 CUSA) vs UTEP (17-9, 7-6 CUSA)
When: Saturday, February 22 | 4:00 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
 

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 Saturday's contest against UTEP in sole possession of first place in Conference USA. The Gamecocks boast a half game advantage over Liberty and a 1.0 game lead over MTSU with four games left in the Conference USA regular season slate.



JP in the Ranks
Through 27 games this season, Jax State guard Jaron Pierre Jr. ranks in the top five nationally in both Total Points (3rd) and PPG (4th). Pierre's 22.0 points per game lead Conference USA and put him among the premier scorers in college basketball. 

Jax State at Home
Jax State is 11-1 so far this season in home games at the Pete Mathews Coliseum in Jacksonville. The Gamecocks lone home loss came on Thursday, Feb. 20 against New Mexico State. The Gamecocks finished as the last Conference USA team undefeated at home before suffering the setback to the Aggies.
 
30 for 5
Jaron Pierre is just the 13th Gamecock with a 30-point game since 2004-05 and is the only one to complete the feat more than just three times. Pierre has scored 30 points on five separate occasions this year. Both Jason Burnell (2017-19) and Demaree King (2020-23) scored 30 points three times in a Gamecock uniform.
 
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 UTEP game, Jac State has just three regular season contests left, with the next game coming next Thursday at Liberty.