In a thrilling basketball matchup on Saturday night, Jaron Pierre Jr. showcased his skills by scoring 23 points, aiding Jacksonville State in their 73-65 victory over UTEP.
The Gamecocks improved their record to 19-9 overall and 11-4 in Conference USA, with Pierre also grabbing nine rebounds during the game. Mason Nicholson made a significant impact as well, contributing 14 points, seven rebounds, and an impressive six blocks. Meanwhile, Marcellus Brigham Jr. rounded out the scoring by hitting 11 points on 5 of 10 shooting from the field.

On the opposing side, UTEP marked their presence with Otis Frazier III leading the charts by netting 25 points along with 10 rebounds and five steals. Teammate David Terrell Jr. added nine points, supplemented with seven rebounds and four assists, while Kevin Kalu also made his mark with nine points, six rebounds, and three blocks.

Jacksonville State established an early lead by taking charge with 17:17 remaining in the first half, a position they maintained throughout the game. Pierre was particularly instrumental during the initial period, scoring 16 points and helping the Gamecocks secure a 39-29 advantage by halftime. Although UTEP outscored Jacksonville State by two points in the second half, the Gamecocks held onto their lead, with Nicholson emerging as the team’s top scorer in that half with eight points.