MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Interstat) — Two teams jockeying for position in the Conference USA standings will meet Saturday when Middle Tennessee hosts New Mexico State at Murphy Athletics Center.

The Blue Raiders (14-14, 8-5 CUSA) and Aggies (13-14, 6-7) enter separated by two games in the loss column, each seeking a winning record with the conference tournament looming. Middle Tennessee is coming off a 77-67 home victory over UTEP on Thursday, powered by 22 points from guard Kamari Lands. Lands averages 17.3 points per game and has scored 20 or more in three of his last six contests.

New Mexico State looks to rebound from a 93-70 road loss at Western Kentucky on Thursday. The Aggies’ recent performances have been inconsistent, alternating wins and losses over their past six games. Forward Julius Mims, who scored 13 points against WKU, is a key figure. He posted a dominant 13-point, 17-rebound effort in a win at Jacksonville State on Feb. 14 and averages a double-double over his last seven games.

The teams’ first meeting this season was a defensive struggle, with Middle Tennessee winning 59-55 in Las Cruces on Jan. 10. That result gives the Blue Raiders a potential mental edge in the rematch.

For Middle Tennessee, consistency from Lands and support from guards Alec Oglesby and Torey Alston, who combined for 32 points Thursday, will be critical. New Mexico State will rely on Mims’ interior presence and need improved perimeter defense after allowing 93 points in its last outing.

Saturday’s matchup tips off at 5 p.m. EST and will be broadcast on ESPN+. The result will impact seeding for the CUSA tournament, set to begin March 12 in Huntsville, Alabama.