MIAMI – In an exciting matchup on Thursday night, New Mexico State secured its seventh consecutive victory by defeating Florida International with a score of 59-52. The standout performers for New Mexico State were Zawdie Jackson and Dionte Bostick, who each contributed 13 points to the team’s success.

Jackson exhibited a solid shooting performance, connecting on 3 of 6 attempts from the field and converting 6 of 8 free throws. His teammate Bostick also had an efficient night, going 4 for 6 from the field and 3 for 6 from the charity stripe, while showcasing his defensive skills with three steals. Additionally, Peter Filipovity made his mark by scoring 11 points, hitting 5 of 12 attempts from the floor, although he struggled with three-point shooting, missing all three of his attempts from beyond the arc.

On the other side, Florida International’s Vianney Salatchoum led the Panthers with a double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, along with two blocks. His teammate Jayden Brewer also chipped in with 13 points and two steals, while Asim Jones added 11 points to the table.

The contest was closely contested throughout, with New Mexico State edging into halftime with a slight lead of 28-26. The turning point came with just under three minutes remaining in the second half when Bostick hit a crucial three-pointer, giving New Mexico State a 48-47 advantage that they would not relinquish.

Looking ahead, both teams are set to return to action on Saturday. New Mexico State will travel to take on Liberty, while Florida International will be hosting UTEP in another critical matchup.