The New Mexico State Aggies secured a 79-70 victory over the Jacksonville State Gamecocks, with Jayland Randall leading the charge with 20 points. The Aggies' 47-point second half, which included a 13-5 run, was the decisive factor in the game. Jacksonville State's Jacoby Hill put up a valiant effort with 21 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Aggies' balanced attack, which saw three players score in double figures, including Julius Mims' 13 points and 17 rebounds.
Julius Mims Grabs 17 Rebounds in New Mexico State's 79-70 Victory
The game got off to a competitive start, with the New Mexico State Aggies taking a 32-29 lead into halftime. However, the Aggies came out strong in the second half, outscoring the Jacksonville State Gamecocks 47-41. A key 13-5 run midway through the second half helped the Aggies build a 10-point lead, which they maintained for the remainder of the game. The Gamecocks' Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. and AC Bryant chipped in with 14 and 11 points, respectively, but the Aggies' depth and rebounding margin of 38-27 ultimately was the difference. The Aggies shot 44.4% from the field, including 7-20 from three-point range, while the Gamecocks shot 41.5% from the field and 6-22 from beyond the arc.
The top performers for both teams were on full display, with Jayland Randall and Jacoby Hill leading the way. Randall's 20 points were complemented by Jemel Jones' 16 points and Julius Mims' 13 points and 17 rebounds. For the Gamecocks, Hill's 21 points were supported by Fitzgerald Jr.'s 14 points and Bryant's 11 points. Mims' double-double was particularly impressive, as he grabbed 17 rebounds, including 5 offensive boards, to help the Aggies control the glass. The Aggies' balanced attack saw four players score in double figures, while the Gamecocks had three players reach double digits.
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A closer look at the box score reveals some key statistical takeaways from the game. The Aggies outrebounded the Gamecocks 38-27, including a 12-6 advantage on the offensive glass. The Aggies also shot 44.4% from the field, compared to the Gamecocks' 41.5%. The Gamecocks turned the ball over 14 times, while the Aggies committed 12 turnovers. The Aggies' 7-20 performance from three-point range was also a key factor, as they outscored the Gamecocks 21-18 from beyond the arc. The Gamecocks' 6-22 performance from three-point range was a major factor in their defeat.
The CHD Scout prediction model incorrectly predicted a Jacksonville State victory by 2.2 points, with a predicted score of 73-70. However, the actual result saw the New Mexico State Aggies emerge victorious by 9 points, 79-70. This discrepancy highlights the model's limitations in predicting the outcome of individual games. The model's predicted margin of 2.2 points was far off from the actual margin of 9 points, and it failed to account for the Aggies' strong second-half performance. The model's predicted score of 73-70 also underestimated the Aggies' offense, which scored 79 points.
The victory improves the New Mexico State Aggies' record to 12-13, while the Jacksonville State Gamecocks fall to 13-12. This game was a Quadrant 3 win for the Aggies and a Quadrant 4 loss for the Gamecocks. The Aggies' current NET ranking of 183 could see a boost from this win, while the Gamecocks' NET ranking of 208 may take a hit. The Aggies' quad record now stands at 3-6 in Quadrant 3 games, while the Gamecocks' quad record is 2-8 in Quadrant 4 games. The loss could hurt the Gamecocks' tournament chances, as they struggle to build a strong resume.
The New Mexico State Aggies want to build on this momentum as they face their next opponent, while the Jacksonville State Gamecocks will aim to bounce back from this defeat. The Aggies' next game is scheduled for February 17th against the Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros, while the Gamecocks' next game is set for February 18th against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels.