SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - As a result of one positive COVID-19 test within the NM State men's basketball team, the Aggies have paused team activities.

The Aggies' non-conference games against Santa Clara on Saturday, Dec. 5 and at Cal Poly on Monday, Dec. 7 have been canceled due to the positive test. The pause in activities follows a positive test, subsequent quarantining and contact tracing within the Aggies' Tier One individuals which includes coaches, student-athletes and staff.

NM State was made aware of the positive result late Friday night. The positive came in the results from the Aggies' Thursday (Dec. 3) COVID-19 tests. All Tier One individuals within the program have been getting tested three times per week since the beginning of November and the Aggies' entire Tier One group tested negative Monday, Nov. 30.

"Today's news was disappointing for our program, but we remain committed to protecting the health and safety of everyone in our party. We are following all of the COVID-19 protocols put in place by NM State and the NCAA in order to maintain a safe environment as we prepare to return to Phoenix," commented NM State head coach Chris Jans. 

"We are not the only team in the nation going through this right now and we will follow all medical recommendations to ensure we're able to get back on the court as soon and as safely as possible," Jans continued. 

NM State won its first two games of the season in 2020-21 and has tied the program record for consecutive wins (21) in the process. The Aggies' 21-game winning streak is tied for the second-longest in college basketball.

On Tuesday, Nov. 15, NM State relocated from the state of New Mexico in order to begin its 2020-21 season. The Aggies set up shop at the Arizona Grand in Phoenix, Ariz., where they have been living, practicing and taking classes.

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