UTEP, New Mexico State Set for Conference USA Rematch LAS CRUCES, N.M. (Interstat) — A tightly contested conference rivalry will be renewed Saturday when the New Mexico State Aggies host the UTEP Miners in a Conference USA men’s basketball game at the Pan American Center. The matchup is a quick rematch of a Feb. 7 overtime thriller in El Paso, where UTEP (10-16, 4-7 CUSA) edged New Mexico State (12-13, 5-6) 91-88. The Aggies will look to defend their home court and split the season series. UTEP arrives having lost four of its last five, including a 73-64 home loss to Liberty last Saturday. The Miners are led by guard Elijah Jones, who is averaging 15.4 points over his last seven games. He scored 17 points in the first meeting against the Aggies. New Mexico State enters with momentum after a 79-70 road victory at Jacksonville State last Saturday. Aggies forward Julius Mims dominated the glass in that win, pulling down 17 rebounds to go with 13 points. Mims, who averages a double-double over his last five contests, will be a key factor against a UTEP team that has struggled with consistency. While UTEP holds the more recent head-to-head victory, the Aggies have been stronger at home this season. Both teams are jockeying for position in the conference standings with the regular season winding down, adding stakes to the intrastate showdown. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. MST tip-off on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at the Pan American Center in University Park.