New Mexico State held Jacksonville State to just 28 points at halftime and limited the Gamecocks to 6-of-20 shooting from three-point range for the night.
By Levi Gwaltney
Source: NMSU Athletics
Photos: Courtesy
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — And just like the song says — here comes the two.
The New Mexico State Aggies men’s basketball took the first step toward March’s Dance Tuesday night, turning their trademark defensive rhythm into a 68–63 win over the Jacksonville State Gamecocks men’s basketball to advance in the Conference USA Tournament.
If the Aggies are going to make a run in Huntsville, it will likely look exactly like this one did.
Defense first.
New Mexico State held Jacksonville State to just 28 points at halftime and limited the Gamecocks to 6-of-20 shooting from three-point range for the night—right in line with a defensive identity that has quietly defined the Aggies this season. Early in the year, the Aggies drew national attention for holding opponents under 30 percent from beyond the arc, and the same defensive discipline showed up again Tuesday night when the stakes were highest.
Once the Aggies found their rhythm, the rest followed.
Jemel Jones led the way with 17 points while Gabe Pickens delivered the most productive night of his Aggie career, scoring 16 points on an efficient 6-for-8 shooting performance while hitting all three of his attempts from long distance. The Aggies also leaned on their depth again, receiving 19 points from the bench while controlling the tempo for much of the night.
It was also the third time this season the Aggies have defeated Jacksonville State, showing a familiarity with the Gamecocks that ultimately helped them close out the five-point victory in the final minutes.
Now the music changes.
Waiting in the quarterfinals is No. 2 seed Sam Houston Bearkats men’s basketball — a team the Aggies have already shown they can beat.
Back in December, when New Mexico State opened Conference USA play at the Pan American Center, the Aggies overwhelmed the Bearkats with depth and defensive pressure. The Aggie bench erupted for 46 points in that game while Elijah Elliott and Jayland Randall combined to lead the scoring effort, and Julius Mims controlled the glass with nine rebounds in a performance that nearly turned into a double-double.
That victory came during a stretch when the Aggies raced out to a 6–0 start, their best opening to a season in more than half a century — the fastest since the 1969-70 team that eventually reached the Final Four.
This Aggie team has taken a more winding road since then.
Close losses piled up. Overtime heartbreak became a recurring theme. The record may not have reflected the flashes of potential that appeared throughout the winter.
But in Huntsville this week, those lessons may finally be turning into something useful.
Because when the Aggies lock into what has become known around Las Cruces as Hooten’s “Do-Si-Do” defense, opponents have a way of finding themselves spinning.
And if that rhythm continues Wednesday night, the Aggies may find themselves taking another step toward March’s Dance.
After all…
the Do-Si-Do has only just begun.
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