COMEBACK KIDS
Kennesaw State erased an 18-point first-half deficit to defeat Austin Peay, 71-69, and improve to 2-0 on the season. Kris Parker scored a team-high 14 points, including two game-winning free throws with 0.8 seconds remaining, while Avery Thomas II added 13 points and 10 rebounds. The Owls host Winthrop on Tuesday.
FLAMES FIND THEIR FIRE
Liberty bounced back from its season-opening loss to High Point with a 113-54 victory over Boyce on Saturday. Cooper Campbell led five Flames in double figures with 21 points as Liberty shot 62.2 percent from the field. Head coach Ritchie McKay is now one victory shy of his 300th win at Liberty, with NC Central visiting Friday.
BLUE HENS BATTLE BADGERS
Delaware opened its second CUSA campaign with a 105-44 victory over Notre Dame of Maryland before falling 73-64 at Wisconsin on Friday. The Blue Hens return home for a pair of contests this week, hosting James Madison on Wednesday and Colgate on Sunday.
BEAMER MAKES HIS MARK
FIU opened the Joey Cantens era with consecutive victories, improving to 2-0 for the first time since 2022-23. Freshman Trey Beamer averaged 17.0 points and earned CUSA Freshman of the Week honors after scoring 25 points against West Florida. Tijan Saine Jr. added 23 points in the 85-75 victory, his second consecutive 20-point performance.
GAMECOCKS FACE TOUGH TESTS
Jax State opened the season with a 123-59 victory over LaGrange before suffering an 83-80 double-overtime setback at South Alabama. The Gamecocks face a challenging week ahead with a Wednesday road trip to Houston followed by a home contest against UAB on Saturday.
BLUE RAIDERS RETURN HOME
MTSU opened its season with a 117-73 victory over Fisk before falling at No. 17 Kansas, 89-45. Quintero Barnett scored 16 first-half points against Fisk, while Marcus Whitlock Jr. connected on four second-half three-pointers. The Blue Raiders return home this week to face Evansville on Tuesday and Southeast Missouri State on Friday.
BEARS OFF TO STRONG START
Missouri State opened the season 2-0 behind a strong start from Andrej Acimovic, who averaged 27.5 points across victories over Lincoln and Truman State. Acimovic poured in 31 points and grabbed 10 rebounds against Truman State, while Trey Williams Jr. contributed 14 points and six assists. The Bears continue their homestand Tuesday against Newman.
AGGIES HIT THE ROAD
NM State opened its season with a 73-66 victory over Western New Mexico before falling at No. 15 Gonzaga, 109-68. Preseason All-CUSA selection DJ Dudley scored 22 points in the season opener, while newcomer Mark Lavrenov recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Lavrenov followed with a team-high 19 points against Gonzaga. The Aggies travel to rival UTEP on Thursday before facing San Diego State on Sunday.
BEARKATS BATTLE THE BEST
Sam Houston rebounded from its season-opening loss at No. 20 Alabama with a 102-59 victory over Howard Payne on Saturday. Aidan McDowell led the Bearkats with 18 points, while Matt Dann recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Jacobe Coleman added 13 points as Sam Houston outrebounded Howard Payne 66-31. The Bearkats host Pepperdine on Wednesday before traveling to Illinois on Friday.
MOORE SETS THE TONE
WKU opened its season with consecutive victories over Morehead State and Kentucky Wesleyan before suffering a narrow 97-94 road setback at Tennessee Tech. Preseason CUSA Player of the Year Teagan Moore scored 26 points and collected five steals in the Hilltoppers’ 82-48 victory over Kentucky Wesleyan. WKU returns home Wednesday to host Campbellsville.