LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Returning to action for the first time in 2025, NM State (8-6, 1-0 CUSA) played host to Sam Houston (7-7, 0-1 CUSA) in both teams' Conference USA opener. Behind spectacular performances from Christian Cook (25 points), and Peter Filipovity (20 points, seven rebounds), the Aggies outlasted the Bearkats in a 75-71 decision.
Securing the opening tip, the Bearkats got on the board first with five points in a flurry. NM State's leading scorer Christian Cook (14.9 points per game) buried the first Aggie bucket of 2025 with a triple from the right-corner.