What: Game Thirteen 
Who: NM State (8-4, 1-1 CUSA) vs Missouri State (8-5, 2-0 CUSA) 
When: Sunday, Jan. 3, 1:00 p.m. MT 
Where: Miami, Fla. – Great Southern Bank Arena (11,000) 

THE OPENING TIP  

• After suffering its first Conference USA setback at FIU, NM State now faces a quick turnaround as it travels more than 1,000 miles from Miami to Springfield, Missouri to take on league newcomer Missouri State on Sunday, Jan. 4 at 1 p.m. 

• Sunday's contest marks just the third all-time meeting between the two programs, with the series currently tied 1-1. The most recent matchup came on Dec. 12, 2012, when the Aggies earned a 71-51 victory over the Bears at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces. 

PERIMETER LOCKDOWN 

• NM State is one of just five Division I programs to hold opponents under 30.0 percent shooting from three-point range last season and has continued that defensive standard into the current campaign. The Aggies join Tennessee, Montana, Dartmouth and Appalachian State as the only teams in the nation to accomplish the feat in both seasons. NM State currently ranks 50th nationally in three-point percentage defense, limiting opponents to 29.8% from beyond the arc. 

  

BOOST FROM THE BENCH 

• NM State's depth once again proved to be a difference-maker, as Elijah Elliott and Jayland Randall delivered impactful performances off the bench to help lift the Aggies in their Conference USA opener against Sam Houston. 

• Elliott matched his season high with 18 points to lead NM State in scoring, marking the second time this season he has finished as the Aggies' top scorer while coming off the bench. Randall wasn't far behind, pouring in 16 points for his second-highest total of the season as the duo combined to provide a major spark for the Crimson & White. 

• This marked the second time this season that Elliott and Randall have finished as NM State's top two scorers while coming off the bench, highlighting the Aggies' ability to lean on their reserve unit. 

• NM State's bench overwhelmed Sam Houston, outscoring the Bearkats 46–17. The 46 bench points marked the Aggies' second-highest reserve output of the season, trailing only their 49-point bench performance against South Alabama. 

DEFENSIVE DISRUPTION 

• NM State continues to establish itself as one of the nation's premier defensive units entering conference play. 

• The Aggies rank 19th nationally in field-goal percentage defense (38.5%), 28th in three-point percentage defense (28.8%), and 57th in scoring defense, allowing just 67.5 points per game. 

   

HISTORIC START  

• The Aggies' 6-0 opening this season marked their best start in more than 50 years. The last NM State team to begin a season this fast was the 1969–70 Final Four team, linking this year's group to one of the most storied runs in program history. 

SCOUTING THE BEARS 

• Missouri State enters Sunday's matchup with an 8-5 overall record and a perfect 2-0 mark in Conference USA play. The Bears are coming off a decisive 79-55 home victory over UTEP at Great Southern Bank Arena. 

• The Bears are led by head coach Cuonzo Martin, who is in his fifth season at the helm of the program. 

• Missouri State features a balanced and efficient offensive attack, led by standout Keith Palek III, who paces the team in both scoring and rebounding at 17.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. 

• The Aggies will also have to contend with one of the nation's most efficient scorers in Michael Osei-Bonsu. The forward is averaging 12.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game and currently ranks 23rd nationally in field goal percentage at 62.7%. 

For complete coverage of the 2025-26 season NM State Men's Basketball, visit NMStateSports.com - the official home of Aggie athletics - and follow us on Twitter (@NMStateMBB), Instagram (@NMStateMBB), and like us on Facebook (NMStateMBB).  

  

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