LAS CRUCES, N.M. — On Saturday night, Jaron Pierre Jr. played a crucial role in Jacksonville State’s 65-59 victory over New Mexico State, scoring 20 points.

Pierre also contributed with five rebounds, helping the Gamecocks improve their record to 13-7 overall and 5-2 in Conference USA. Mason Nicholson was another key player for Jacksonville State, adding 12 points while boasting an impressive shooting performance, making 5 out of 6 attempts from the floor and converting 2 of 3 free throws, along with grabbing 11 rebounds. Quel’Ron House chipped in with 11 points, shooting 4 of 11, which included two successful three-pointers.

For the Aggies, who now stand at 11-9 and 4-3 in the conference, the highest scorer was Robert Carpenter with 16 points. Teammate Peter Filipovity made an impact with 13 points while also pulling down a remarkable 17 rebounds. Christian Cook also contributed 13 points to the cause for New Mexico State.

The game was tightly contested, with Nicholson scoring eight points in the first half, leading to a deadlock at 29 points apiece at halftime. The turning point for Jacksonville State came with just under four minutes remaining in the second half when Pierre hit a jump shot, granting his team a 56-54 lead that they would maintain until the end of the game.