LAS CRUCES, N.M. — FIU's men's basketball program makes the short trip through the desert to New Mexico State for a Saturday night matchup in Conference USA (CUSA). 

The Panthers (8-17, 2-10 CUSA) and the Aggies (12-12, 5-6 CUSA) meet at 9 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. MT inside the Pan American Center on Saturday night. 

Saturday, Feb. 15 at NM State

Time/Site: 9 p.m. ET | Pan American Center

Series History: NM State leads 7-1 (2-1 in CUSA)

Last Meeting: NM State def. FIU, 59-52 (Jan. 16, 2025)

TV: ESPN+

FIU fell after a second-half flurry from UTEP in its last contest, suffering a 77-63 defeat to the Miners in El Paso. Ashton Williamson and Vianney Salatchoum led the scoring effort with 12 points each. Jayden Brewer and Asim Jones were also in double-figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively. 

Salatchoum also racked up four blocks and three steals in the contest. He currently averages 2.1 blocks per game, second-best in CUSA and 22nd in all of Division I. As a team, FIU had six blocks and averages 4.9 per game, first in CUSA and 33rd-nationally. Notably, Jonathan Aybar enters the game with 966 career points, 34 shy of 1,000. 

In the previous meeting between the Panthers and Aggies, FIU erased a nine-point first half deficit to cut NMSU's lead to two at the halftime break. Jones put FIU up two with 3:03 left, ahead 47-45, but an 14-5 run to close the game gave the Aggies the road win. 

Salatchoum and Brewer both had 13 points to lead FIU. Jones chipped in 11 in support. This would be the program's first-ever win in Las Cruces. 

SCOUTING THE AGGIES

New Mexico State has struggled of late, losing six of its last seven games after a 4-0 start in CUSA. The Aggies have also dropped their last four contests at home, most recently losing to Liberty, 64-54, on Thursday night. 

Zawdie Jackson scored 18 points and Christian Cook added 11. The Aggies led 29-24 at the half, but were outscored 40-25 in the final 20 minutes. 

New Mexico State is strong defensively, limiting opponents to just 40.5 percent shooting, second best in CUSA and 37th in the nation. The Aggies also have the second best scoring defense in the league, allowing just 68.0 ppg. 

Christian Cook leads NMSU in scoring with 13.8 ppg and has made 60 threes so far this season. Peter Filpovity also averages double-digits with 11.6 ppg. 

SOCIAL MEDIA

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General athletic news can also be found at @FIUSports on Facebook and @FIUAthletics on Twitter and Instagram.