LYNCHBURG, Va. – NM State (9-7, 2-4 CUSA) mounted a spirited second-half comeback tonight, trimming a 17-point deficit to a single possession in the final minute, but ultimately fell just short in a 73–71 loss to Liberty (14-3, 6-0 CUSA) inside Liberty Arena.
Out of the gate, after a missed shot attempt from the Aggies, Liberty would strike first behind a Zach Cleveland layup to take an early 2–0 lead. NM State quickly responded, getting on the board for the first time of the night when Jemel Jones connected on a three-pointer from the left corner.
The two teams traded baskets in the opening minutes before an alley-oop finish from Julius Mims gave the Aggies their largest lead of the first half at 8-4. The advantage was short-lived, however, as the Flames found their rhythm and rattled off a 10–0 run to claim a 14-8 edge with 14:13 remaining in the opening period.
NM State continued to battle to keep Liberty within reach, but the Flames slowly built separation over the remainder of the half. Liberty closed the period on a late surge, capped by a three-pointer in the final second, to carry a 46–29 lead into the locker room.
The Aggies emerged from the break with renewed energy, chipping away at the deficit behind improved ball movement and defensive pressure. NM State pieced together several scoring spurts early in the second half, using second-chance opportunities and strong interior play to steadily cut into Liberty's advantage.
A key 7–0 run midway through the half brought the Aggies back into striking distance, with Anthony Wrzeszcz providing a spark on both ends of the floor. Wrzeszcz knocked down timely baskets in the paint and from beyond the arc, helping NM State trim the margin to single digits for the first time since the opening minutes.
With just over five minutes remaining, a step-back three from Chris Terrell pulled the Aggies within three, igniting the NM State bench and forcing a Liberty timeout. The Aggies continued to apply pressure down the stretch, and a Wrzeszcz triple with 1:28 remaining pulled NM State within one at 70–69.
Following a defensive stop, Liberty responded at the free-throw line, and despite a final possession to potentially force overtime, the Aggies were unable to convert at the buzzer as the Flames held on for the 73–71 win.
Wrzeszcz led the Aggies in scoring, finishing with 16 points while adding key plays during the late rally. Terrell provided a crucial lift off the bench, scoring six points in the second half, including a momentum-shifting three-pointer that helped fuel NM State's comeback effort.
The Aggies outscored Liberty 42–27 in the second half and held the Flames without a field goal for extended stretches as they erased most of the first-half deficit.
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Despite attempting 61 field goals on the night, the Aggies earned just four trips to the free-throw line. The four attempts marked NM State's fewest in a game since Feb. 29, 2024 – coincidentally also against Liberty in Lynchburg during Head Coach Jason Hooten's first season at the helm, when the Aggies attempted just two free throws.
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Jae'Coby Osborne matched his career high with 10 points while setting a new career best with 12 rebounds, recording the first double-double of his collegiate career. Osborne has found a consistent scoring rhythm as of late, reaching double figures in three of his last five outings.
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