JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – With just three games remaining in its regular season, the Jacksonville State men's basketball team prepares for a Thursday contest with first place implications against Liberty in Lynchburg. The Gamecocks enter the contest just a half game ahead of the Flames
  
Jax State (19-9, 10-4 CUSA) vs Liberty (22-5, 10-4 CUSA)
When: Thursday, February 27 | 4:00 PM
Where: Liberty Arena | Lynchburg, Va.
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
 
 
Down to the Wire
Jax State's Thursday matchup against the Flames contains some regular season CUSA championship implications. The winner of the rematch will hold sole possession of first place in the conference with less than two weeks remaining in the schedule.
 
In the Polls
For the first season since 2018-19, Jax State is ranked in the College Insider Mid Major poll. The Gamecocks rank 20th and are one of two CUSA teams in the poll, joining Liberty. The Gamecocks rank of 18th two weeks ago is the highest ranking in program history.
 
JP in the Ranks
Through 28 games this season, Jax State guard Jaron Pierre Jr. ranks in the top five nationally in both Total Points (3rd) and PPG (2nd). Pierre's 22.1 points per game lead Conference USA and put him among the premier scorers in college basketball.
 
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.
  
Mason's Block Party
Mason Nicholson showed up on the defensive end of the ball for Jax State on Saturday, blocking a career high six shots against UTEP on Feb. 22. Nicholson leads the team with 49 blocks and has 10 games this season with three or more blocks.
  
Pierre Setting Program Marks
With three games remaining in the regular season, Jaron Pierre Jr. has set the Jax State Division I Program record for single season points (618), points per game (22.1) and field goals made (211). His historic season has been headlined by five 30+ point scoring outings, the most of any Gamecock since 2003-04.
  
Jax State at Home
Jax State is 12-1 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.
  
Up Next
Jax State has just two regular season games remaining following the Liberty game, first traveling to FIU on March 1 before closing out the season on senior day on March 8.