LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The wait for the 2025-26 season officially ended Tuesday night as NM State tipped off on Lou Henson Court inside the Pan American Center. With 13 newcomers making their Aggie debuts, the early growing pains were evident, but Head Coach Jason Hooten's squad delivered when it mattered most. Behind standout performances from Jemel Jones and Cyr Malonga, the Aggies (1-0, 0-0 CUSA) defeated Adams State (0-0, 0-0 RMAC) 83-72 in a contest that served as an exhibition for the Grizzlies.
The Aggies wasted no time giving fans something to cheer about, as returner Gabe Pickens connected with junior transfer Cyr Malonga for a two-handed alley-oop to put NM State on the board.