HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Jacksonville State women's basketball opens the 2026 Air National Guard CUSA Basketball Championship Tuesday against UTEP. The Gamecocks are the seventh seed in the tournament, while UTEP is the 10
th seed, respectively.
Jax State (15-15, 9-9) vs UTEP (13-16, 5-13)
Tuesday, March 10 | 2 PM
VBC Propst Arena | Huntsville, Ala.
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Last Time Out
Last week, the Gamecocks downed Kennesaw State at home in a senior day regular season finale on March 7. Against the Owls,
Kyera Thornsbury had a career day with 26 points on 8-of-17 shooting and 6-of-11 from three.
Brooklyn McDaniel added 16 points on 50% shooting against the Owls and a team-high nine rebounds, while Maria Sanchez-Ponce added 11 points.
Barnes' Postseason Awards
Mya Barnes was named to the All-CUSA Second Team and All-CUSA Defensive Team. Barnes averages 11.0 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 32.8 minutes per game, all leading Jax State. Barnes has 35 blocks for an average of 1.2 blocks per game and 36 steals also averaging out at 1.2 steals per game, both leading the Gamecocks. She also has a team-best eight double-doubles this season.
Thornsbury's Day
Kyera Thornsbury had a career-high 26 points on 8-of-17 shooting and 6-of-11 from three against Kennesaw State on March 7. Prior to her 26 points, Thornsbury had 18 twice this season against Mercer and Point for a career-best scoring. Thornsbury has scored in double-digits eight contests this season.
Survive and Advance
Following the first-round game against UTEP, the winner will move on to face the two-seed Florida International on March 11 at 2 p.m. FIU is led by CUSA Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year Rhema Collins.
Series History
Jax State and UTEP will face one another for the seventh time all-time. The matchup Tuesday will be the first ever game between the two squads on a neutral court. In the series the home team has won every time, as Jax State is 3-0 in Pete Mathews Coliseum and UTEP is 3-0 in the Don Haskins Center in El Paso, Texas. UTEP won the most recent game 66-64 at their place on Feb. 26. Jax State won the first ever meeting 70-62 on Feb. 1, 2024.
To stay up-to-date with the Gamecocks, follow their Facebook (Jacksonville State Women's Basketball), Instagram (@JaxStateWBB), and X (@JaxStateWBB) accounts.
