Middle Tennessee Edges New Mexico State in Close Contest
Saturday, January 10, 2026, 8:00 PM ET · Pan American Center
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 59, New Mexico State Aggies 55, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs New Mexico State Aggies?
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders beat New Mexico State Aggies 59-55 at Pan American Center on January 10, 2026.
Who was favored in Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders vs New Mexico State Aggies?
New Mexico State Aggies were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -175 (about 64% implied). The underdog won.
In a tightly contested matchup at the Pan American Center, the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders narrowly defeated the New Mexico State Aggies with a final score of 59 to 55. This victory marks a significant moment for Middle Tennessee, as they improved their record to 11-6, while New Mexico State fell to 9-7. The game showcased the competitive nature of both teams, each striving to gain momentum in the NCAAB season.
Both teams entered the game with identical recent form, each holding a 5-5 record over their last ten games. New Mexico State had a slight edge in scoring, averaging 77.5 points per game while allowing 69.3, compared to Middle Tennessee's 71.7 points scored and 70.3 points allowed. New Mexico State's recent performance included a win against Western Kentucky, where they scored 80 points, but they also suffered losses against Missouri State and Florida International. In contrast, Middle Tennessee's recent games included a notable win against Louisiana Tech, where they scored 88 points, but they faced a setback against UTEP, losing by three points.
At home, New Mexico State had a record of 5-5, while Middle Tennessee struggled on the road, holding an 0-3 record in away games leading up to this matchup. This game was crucial for both teams, as they looked to capitalize on their home and away performances, respectively.
The two teams had met previously in the 2025 season, splitting their two encounters. New Mexico State won the first meeting 61-57 on January 31, 2025, while Middle Tennessee claimed victory in the second matchup on February 28, 2025, with a score of 71-66. This history added an extra layer of intensity to the game, as both teams aimed to assert dominance in their rivalry.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any key players missing from either team, allowing both squads to field their full rosters. This availability was likely a contributing factor to the competitive nature of the game.
Betting lines from DraftKings indicated that New Mexico State was favored by 3.5 points, with a total set at 144.5. The odds reflected the close nature of the matchup, as both teams had shown they could compete effectively, making the spread a point of interest for bettors.
The game conditions were typical for a mid-January evening in New Mexico, with a crowd eager to support the Aggies. Fans were treated to a back-and-forth contest that saw both teams exchanging leads multiple times, highlighting the intensity and stakes of the game.
As the game progressed, viewers were treated to a series of pivotal scoring plays in the second half. Jemel Jones made crucial free throws, and Cyr Malonga's layup helped Middle Tennessee maintain their lead. New Mexico State fought back with a three-point jumper from Jayland Randall, but ultimately fell short. The final moments were marked by tense free throw attempts, with Jahvin Carter sealing the victory for Middle Tennessee.
In conclusion, the matchup between Middle Tennessee and New Mexico State proved to be an engaging affair, showcasing the competitive spirit of both teams. With the final score of 59-55, Middle Tennessee not only secured a vital win but also gained a psychological advantage in their ongoing rivalry with New Mexico State.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | NMSU -3.5 | 144.5 o -110 / u -110 | Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders +145 · New Mexico State Aggies -175 |
Leaders
- PointsJemel Jones16New Mexico State Aggies
- AssistsGabe Pickens3New Mexico State Aggies
- ReboundsJulius Mims7New Mexico State Aggies
- PointsTorey Alston16Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- AssistsJahvin Carter5Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
- ReboundsChris Loofe8Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Recent form
New Mexico State Aggies
Last 10: 5-5Streak W177.5 scored · 69.3 allowed per game4-1 at home
- W80-64vs Western Kentucky HilltoppersJan 9
- L82-89at Missouri State BearsJan 4
- L74-89at Florida International PanthersJan 2
- W104-33vs Southwest MustangsDec 28
- W87-78vs Sam Houston BearkatsDec 21
- L70-83vs Tulsa Golden HurricaneDec 13
- L69-77at Abilene Christian WildcatsDec 6
- L75-77at South Alabama JaguarsDec 3
- W77-58vs Georgia State PanthersNov 26
- W57-45at UC Irvine AnteatersNov 26
Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Last 10: 5-5Streak L171.7 scored · 70.3 allowed per game0-3 away
- L80-83at UTEP MinersJan 9
- W68-67vs Sam Houston BearkatsJan 4
- W88-51vs Louisiana Tech BulldogsJan 3
- L60-69at Houston CougarsDec 30
- W74-58vs Cumberland PhoenixDec 21
- W68-67vs Kennesaw State OwlsDec 18
- L62-83vs Belmont BruinsDec 7
- W76-61vs UAB BlazersDec 2
- L62-72at McNeese CowboysNov 25
- L79-92vs George Washington RevolutionariesNov 24
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 26-8 | - | 17-3 |
| Sam Houston | 22-12 | 4 | 13-7 |
| Louisiana Tech | 20-14 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Western Kentucky | 18-14 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Middle Tennessee | 17-15 | 6 | 11-9 |
| Kennesaw State | 21-14 | 7 | 10-10 |
| Jacksonville State | 15-17 | 7 | 10-10 |
| New Mexico State | 16-16 | 9 | 8-12 |
| Missouri State | 16-18 | 9 | 8-12 |
| Florida International | 15-17 | 9 | 8-12 |
| UTEP | 11-20 | 8 | 7-13 |
| Delaware | 10-21 | 11 | 6-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders | New Mexico State Aggies |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 20-50 | 18-52 |
| Field goal % | 40 | 35 |
| Three-pointers | 4-19 | 6-25 |
| Three-point % | 21 | 24 |
| Free throws | 15-24 | 13-22 |
| Free throw % | 63 | 59 |
| Rebounds | 38 | 37 |
| Offensive rebounds | 6 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 32 | 29 |
| Assists | 12 | 11 |
| Steals | 7 | 5 |
| Blocks | 2 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 9 | 11 |
| Team turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 11 | 4 |
| Fast-break points | 16 | 6 |
| Points in the paint | 28 | 16 |
| Fouls | 14 | 17 |
| Largest lead | 13 | 16 |
| Lead changes | 2 | 2 |
| Time in front | 51 | 43 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half24-27Anthony Wrzeszcz makes 23-foot three point jumper (Gabe Pickens assists)
- 1st Half26-27Chris Loofe makes layup (Sean Smith assists)
- 1st Half26-29Gabe Pickens makes driving layup
- 1st Half29-29Tre Green makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jahvin Carter assists)
- 2nd Half32-29Kamari Lands makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jahvin Carter assists)
- 2nd Half34-29Torey Alston makes 1-foot dunk
- 2nd Half34-30Cyr Malonga makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half34-31Cyr Malonga makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half35-31Torey Alston makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half36-31Torey Alston makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half36-33Cyr Malonga makes 1-foot dunk (Julius Mims assists)
- 2nd Half38-33Alec Oglesby makes layup (Jahvin Carter assists)
- 2nd Half38-34Jemel Jones makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half38-35Jemel Jones makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half41-35Jahvin Carter makes 24-foot three point jumper (James Dent Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half43-35Alec Oglesby makes layup (Chris Loofe assists)
- 2nd Half43-36Jemel Jones makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half44-36James Dent Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half44-37Gabe Pickens makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half46-37James Dent Jr. makes driving layup
- 2nd Half46-38Gabe Pickens makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half47-38Torey Alston makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half48-38Torey Alston makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-38Torey Alston makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-38Torey Alston makes 1-foot alley oop dunk (Jahvin Carter assists)
- 2nd Half51-41Julius Mims makes 24-foot three point jumper (Elijah Elliott assists)
- 2nd Half51-43Cyr Malonga makes 2-foot dunk (Jemel Jones assists)
- 2nd Half52-43Chris Loofe makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half53-43Chris Loofe makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half53-45Jemel Jones makes 14-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half55-45Chris Loofe makes 1-foot dunk (Jahvin Carter assists)
- 2nd Half55-46Jemel Jones makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half55-47Jemel Jones makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half55-49Cyr Malonga makes layup
- 2nd Half57-49Jahvin Carter makes layup
- 2nd Half57-51Jemel Jones makes 8-foot jumper
- 2nd Half58-51James Dent Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-54Jayland Randall makes 23-foot three point jumper (Kyrese Mullen assists)
- 2nd Half58-55Kyrese Mullen makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-55Jahvin Carter makes free throw 1 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours New Mexico State Aggies, below favours Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.
Venue
- Pan American CenterLas Cruces, NM
- Attendance2852
- OfficialsShane Land, James Curran, Damien Richard
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