KATY, Texas – South Alabama men's basketball survived a back-and-forth battle with New Mexico State and closed the game at the free-throw line to secure a 77–75 victory on Tuesday night at the Leonard E. Merrell Center. The win improves the Jaguars to 8–1 on the season and hands the Aggies their first loss of the year.

KEY STATS

• For the second straight game on this road trip, Adam Olsen led all scorers with 21 points, shooting 6-for-10 from the field and 6-for-7 at the free-throw line. It marked Olsen's fifth 20-point performance of the season.

• South Alabama Jaguars shot a season-high 82.1 percent from the free-throw line (32-of-39) and 44.4 percent from the field overall. The 32 made free throws marked the program's most in a game in a decade, last reaching that mark on January 8, 2015 at App State.

• Peyton Law delivered a physical performance with 18 points, five rebounds, and three blocks, including multiple late-game defensive stops.

• Chaze Harris added another all-around effort with 17 points, four assists, three steals, and a perfect 11-for-11 mark at the free-throw line.

• Randy Brady finished with eight points and seven rebounds, including the game-winning free throw with five seconds remaining.

• Despite being outshot from three-point range and outrebounded, the Jaguars controlled the game at the free-throw line and executed in key late-game possessions.

KEY MOMENTS

• New Mexico State carried early momentum, using second-chance points and transition baskets to take a 36–32 lead into halftime.

• South Alabama opened the second half with a surge, keyed by back-to-back paint scores from Harris and a three-pointer from Olsen to ignite an 11–0 run.

• With under 10 minutes remaining, the game turned into a back-and-forth battle with 10 lead changes and six ties.

• At the 6:33 mark, Law converted a tough finish at the rim and followed it with a free throw to give the Jaguars a 62–60 advantage.

• After multiple late ties, Harris calmly knocked down two free throws with 20 seconds remaining to put South Alabama ahead 76–75.

• Following a defensive stop, Brady iced the game at the line with five seconds left before New Mexico State's final three-point attempt fell short at the buzzer.

QUOTES

Head Coach Richie Riley
"It was incredible. That was a high-level game between two of the best mid-majors in the country right now. We've got a long way to go and have to keep getting better, but that was a street fight. We told our guys it was going to be that type of game. Our guys showed so much toughness — that's a culture win. The best compliment you can get is when people say your team reflects your culture. This is a special group, and we have to keep getting better."

UP NEXT

South Alabama will close its near-month-long road trip with a matchup at East Tennessee State on Friday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

FOLLOW THE JAGS

For complete coverage of South Alabama men's basketball, follow the Jaguars on social media at @SouthAlabamaMBB on X and Instagram, /SouthAlabamaJaguars on Facebook, or visit USAJaguars.com.