JACKSONVILLE – Jax State women's basketball continues Conference USA play Sunday at 2:30 inside Pete Mathews Coliseum against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. The Gamecocks opened CUSA play with a win over Western Kentucky on Friday, Jan. 2.
 
Jax State (7-6, 1-0) vs Middle Tennessee (6-7, 1-0)
Sunday, Jan. 4 | 2:30 PM
Pete Mathews Coliseum | Jacksonville, Ala.
 
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Last Time Out
The Gamecocks opened CUSA play with a dominant 75-48 victory over Western Kentucky at home. The win was the first victory over the Hilltoppers in five total matchups. The 27-point win over WKU was Jax State's largest margin of victory over another CUSA opponent since joining the league ahead of the 2022-23 season. Jax State shot 43.3% from the field, 38.7% from three, and made all 11 free throws against WKU.
 
Dynamic Duo
Mya Barnes and Adriana Jones combined for 38 points as they both scored a team-high 19 points in the win over WKU. Barnes shot 7-of-14 and 5-of-9 from three, while Jones shot 6-of-11 and 3-of-6 from three. Barnes led the Gamecocks with nine rebounds, and Jones led the team with four assists.
 
Balanced Attack
Against the Hilltoppers, Brooklyn McDaniel and Kyera Thornsbury reached double-digits. McDaniel scored 12 points and Thornsbury added 10 points, respectively. All eight of Jax State's players who saw action against WKU scored at least three points.
 
Suffocating Defense
As is typical from Rick Pietri coached team, the Gamecocks' defense has been impressive through the non-conference slate. Jax State is allowing 56.4 points from their opponents on 38.8% shooting and 26.6% shooting from three. They only give up 4.5 threes per game. Jax State held WKU to 37.0% shooting and 29.4% from three while holding them to just 48 points.
 
Sanchez-Ponce's Return
Maria Sanchez-Ponce returned to the court against Presbyterian on Dec. 21 after missing five games due to injury. Against the Blue Hose, Sanchez-Ponce scored 8 points, grabbed 3 rebounds, had an assist, a steal, and a block in 19 minutes of action. Against WKU, Sanchez-Ponce 4 points, pulled down 3 rebounds, and had 2 assists in 20 minutes.  
 
Series History
Middle Tennessee holds a 4-0 all-time record over Jax State ahead of Sunday's contest. The Blue Raiders won the first meeting 66-45 on Jan. 24, 2024. In the most recent meeting, MTSU won 63-46 on Feb. 6, 2025.
 
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