The Independent Student Voice of NMSU Since 1907

NMSU Round Up
The Independent Student Voice of NMSU Since 1907

NMSU Round Up
The Independent Student Voice of NMSU Since 1907

NMSU Round Up
James Martin

James Martin, Sports Editor

A Las Cruces native, James Martin enters his fourth year at The Round Up and second as Sports editor. The senior loves Minecraft and good vibes and is currently majoring in journalism with minors in sports marketing, marketing and advertising.

Having covered NMSU athletics exclusively throughout his Round Up tenure as sports writer and sports editor, the Oñate High School graduate looks forward to another year at this historic publication while still giving the people of Las Cruces the top-flight Aggie sports coverage they deserve.

All content by James Martin
Long-time Round Up Sports Editor James Martin won't shut up about how much he loves his job.

Column: It’s Jame Time

James Martin, Sports Editor
May 14, 2021
Randy Brown comes back to NM State to finish his degree in hopes of one day coaching the Aggies. (Ken Levine, Getty Images)

Aggie basketball legend Randy Brown’s return to NM State

James Martin and Trent Nickell
May 13, 2021
The Aggies score at least 11 runs in three straight victories over UTRGV.

NM State bounces back after Friday letdown, holds off surging UTRGV to claim series victory

Trent Nickell and James Martin
May 2, 2021
Nearly a year after the coronavirus forced the cancellation, postponement and relocation of just about any event one could imagine, Aggie sports will be able to come back home.

NM State sports able to play home games in Las Cruces

James Martin, Sports Editor
March 10, 2021
Aaliyah Prince posts 12 points, eight boards, three assists and a team-high four steals in the Aggies' 56-46 win over the Redhawks.

NM State overcomes turnovers, tops Seattle to advance to WAC semis

Shelly Doyle and James Martin
March 10, 2021
Weston Eget completes six of eight passes for 61 yards and a score in his short stint at quarterback before leaving the game with a foot injury. (Photo courtesy of NMSU Athletics)

Aggie football caps off mini-spring season with a 36-29 win over Dixie State

Trent Nickell and James Martin
March 7, 2021
(Photo courtesy of NMSU Athletics)

Aggies close out regular season with third-straight win heading into WAC Vegas

Trent Nickell and James Martin
March 6, 2021
The Aggies improved to 3-9 on the season after defeating Stetson 5-3 in extra innings Sunday morning.

Aggie softball team continues to find identity in unusual 2021 campaign

Shelly Doyle and James Martin
March 1, 2021
The Aggies struggle mightily in their first football game in 450 days against the FCS newcomer Texans.

NM State football demolished by Tarleton State in strange season-opener

James Martin and Trent Nickell
February 21, 2021
Jabari Rice goes off for a game-high 20 points over Utah Valley.

Aggies clutch down the stretch in much needed 67-60 win over UVU

Trent Nickell and James Martin
February 20, 2021
The Aggies dropped their third straight five-inning game in a row Saturday afternoon.

Early woes for NM State softball persist in back-to-back losses to No. 24 UCF

James Martin and Shelly Doyle
February 20, 2021
New Mexico State will now open their season Feb. 26 against ACU in Abilene, Texas.

Aggie baseball opener cancelled after positive COVID test

James Martin, Sports Editor
February 18, 2021
Aggie head coach Mike Jordan's 23rd season at the helm is one of his best.

NM State volleyball starts unparalleled season with classic Mike Jordan dominance

James Martin and Trent Nickell
February 2, 2021
Johnny McCants leads Aggies with 13 points and eight rebounds.

New Mexico State falls to GCU in WAC-opener, snaps conference record

James Martin, Sports Editor
January 29, 2021
For "graduation ceremony" article

New Mexico universities allowed to practice in-state, Aggie basketball can return home

James Martin, Sports Editor
January 20, 2021
The new map of the WAC following the announced addition of Southern Utah, Abilene Christian, Lamar, Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin State beginning in 2022 (per KTSM 9 Sports).

WAC to add five schools, reinstate football at FCS level in 2022

James Martin, Sports Editor
January 14, 2021
New Mexico State cancels their next two games against Santa Clara and Cal Poly following a positive COVID test from within the program.

NM State men’s basketball pauses basketball activities following positive COVID-19 test

James Martin, Sports Editor
December 5, 2020
A delay in testing results prompts NM State and ACU to postpone their matchup until Sunday.

NM State season opener vs Arizona Christian postponed to Sunday

James Martin, Sports Editor
November 27, 2020
The New Mexico State women's basketball team will take on UTEP on Nov. 25 to start their season, but where they will practice beyond that is still unknown.

Season openers scheduled for Aggie basketball, women’s team still looking for temporary home

James Martin and Trent Nickell
November 19, 2020
The Aggie men's basketball team will practice at the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa for at least the next five weeks. (Photo courtesy of the Resort)

New Mexico State men’s basketball temporarily relocates to Phoenix

Mia Tontodonati and James Martin
November 17, 2020
Student-athletes from five New Mexico universities unify in one letter penned to Michelle Lujan Grisham.

New Mexico college athletes ask Governor for more flexibility

Trent Nickell and James Martin
November 12, 2020
Junior guard Jabari Rice is selected as the 2020-2021 Preseason WAC Player of the Year to headline a bevy of awards for both the men's and women's basketball programs heading into the season.

Aggie basketball gets WAC schedule, dominates preseason awards

James Martin, Sports Editor
October 29, 2020
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham details new state-wide restrictions for New Mexico in Thursday's COVID-update livestream.

Record positives, new public health regulations pose potential problems for college athletics in New Mexico

James Martin, Sports Editor
October 16, 2020
Teams will be allowed to play no more than 27 games during the 2020-2021 season and may begin official practice Oct. 14.

NCAA chooses Nov. 25 as new college basketball start date

James Martin, Sports Editor
September 17, 2020
New Mexico State Director of Athletics Mario Moccia details the financial struggles that the university has faced as a result of COVID-19.

NM State Athletics plans to honor all scholarships amid virus-prompted financial strain

Mia Tontodonati and James Martin
September 8, 2020
The WAC and NM State opt for not fall competition in an attempt to better protect the health and safety of its student athletes.

New Mexico State postpones all fall sports

James Martin, Sports Editor
August 13, 2020
With the 172nd pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select Swiss army-back Jason Huntley.

Huntley becomes latest Aggie drafted into NFL

James Martin, Sports Editor
April 27, 2020
New Mexico State adds five football signees, three volleyball signees and three women's basketball signees on April 15.

NM State athletics continues to add talent despite recruiting dead period

James Martin, Sports Editor
April 16, 2020
Nick Gonzales and company were on their way to one of the best seasons in program history before the cancellation of all NCAA events for the remainder of the athletic year cut that short.

Lost season for NM State baseball was on its way to being special

James Martin, Sports Editor
April 2, 2020
After Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham made it clear there would be no exceptions or amendment to New Mexican public health orders, it looks that the only way Aggie basketball can go on this year is a move to a different state happens.

WAC cancels all competition for the remainder of the 2019-2020 athletic year

James Martin, Sports Editor
March 18, 2020
The Aggies return to where their season was cut short last year with a vengeance, advancing past the quarterfinals with an easy win over UT Rio Grande Valley.

Western Athletic Conference tournament cancelled amid COVID-19

James Martin, Sports Editor
March 12, 2020
Rodrea Echols pulls up on the UTRGV defense to bury a mid-range jumper in NM State's 73-61 win.

Aggies kick off tournament with resounding win in Pack’s return to action

James Martin, Sports Editor
March 11, 2020
Gia Pack is due to make her comeback to the NM State lineup in the Aggies' opening round game of the WAC Tournament.

NM State women’s basketball peaking just in time for conference tournament

Mia Tontodonati and James Martin
March 9, 2020
Josh Adkins announced on Twitter Friday morning that he will leave New Mexico State and enter the transfer portal.

NM State QB Adkins to enter transfer portal after two seasons under center

James Martin, Sports Editor
March 6, 2020
New Mexico State sealed an undefeated WAC season for the third time in conference history in tonight's 83-50 win over Cal Baptist.

Aggies finish WAC play perfect 16-0 with senior night blowout over CBU

James Martin, Sports Editor
March 5, 2020
Aaliyah Prince goes off for 20 points and 10 boards in NM State's 67-62 OT win over the Roadrunners.

Aggies force overtime, get job done vs CSUB on senior day

Garrett Warren and James Martin
February 29, 2020
Hometown product Johnny McCants poses with a fan following the Aggies' regular season conference championship.

Jans, NM State clinch third straight WAC regular season title with win over UTRGV

James Martin, Sports Editor
February 22, 2020
Jabari Rice drives to the hoop in the Aggies' 61-57 win over CSU Bakersfield.

NM State overcomes bad shooting night to eek out gritty win over CSUB

James Martin, Sports Editor
January 30, 2020
NM State carries what is tied for the seventh longest active winning streak in men's DI college basketball with nine straight wins into this weekend's home doubleheader.

Injuries loom as Aggie basketball continues to make history

James Martin, Sports Editor
January 30, 2020
Gia Pack explodes for 30 points and 19 boards in the Aggies' 83-65 win over Seattle.

NM State women’s basketball pulls off 17-point comeback in blowout win over Seattle

James Martin, Sports Editor
January 18, 2020
The Aggies hold off a persistent UTEP comeback effort to improve to 5-4 on the season.

New Mexico State in good shape after handing Miners first loss of the season

James Martin, Sports Editor
December 4, 2019
NM State looks to pick up their first rivalry win of the season in their second try against an undefeated UTEP.

Aggies gear up for UTEP rematch following Cayman Islands Classic

James Martin, Sports Editor
December 3, 2019
The 29 graduating Aggie seniors improve to 3-1 against UTEP after beating their highway rival 44-35.

NM State turns in best performance of the season on Senior Night, tops UTEP for second straight

Anthony McKenna and James Martin
November 23, 2019
New Mexico State downs GCU to extend their win streak to 15 and claim another conference title.

NM State volleyball riding high, clinches WAC Championship with week to spare

James Martin, Sports Editor
November 11, 2019
New Mexico State can't finish the comeback as they lose in devastating fashion to UCR.

Last second layup sinks turnover-prone Aggies in season opener

Anthony McKenna and James Martin
November 7, 2019
Shawn Williams drives to the basket in his first start at New Mexico State.

Aggies destroy Western NM 92-46 in season opening victory

Mia Tontodonati and James Martin
November 5, 2019
Gia Pack looks to step up as the sole No. 1 option for NM State after the departure of the program's second all-time leading scorer in Brooke Salas.

Pack primed for monster senior season in even bigger role

James Martin, Sports Editor
November 5, 2019
The Aggies stay on the road to take on GS in an effort to get their first win of the season. (Photo courtesy of Yahoo! Sports)

Know your foe: Georgia Southern Eagles

James Martin, Sports Editor
October 24, 2019
NM State looks to take advantage of the week off heading into the Aggies' road contest against Georgia Southern.

Bye week gives Aggies chance at hard reset heading into second half of season

Anthony McKenna and James Martin
October 17, 2019
A growingly unfamiliar sight -- fans pack Aggie Memorial at a 2019 football matchup against San Diego State.

Aggies come up short in sloppy homecoming loss to Liberty

James Martin, Sports Editor
October 5, 2019
Even though fall and winter sports' seasons are still up in the air, Aggies across all sports are still practicing with precautionary measures in place.

Jans, Aggies take the floor for first official practice of the new basketball year

James Martin, Sports Editor
September 26, 2019
With the 172nd pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions select Swiss army-back Jason Huntley.

NM State explodes on offense, can’t finish comeback against UNM

James Martin, Sports Editor
September 21, 2019
The six-year deal would allow NM State to be selected for any of ESPN's 16 bowl games should the Aggies secure bowl eligibility.

NM State football secures postseason clarity in six-year New Mexico Bowl agreement

James Martin, Sports Editor
September 20, 2019
NM State falls to 0-3 after an anemic offensive performance in their 31-10 loss to San Diego State.

O-line troubles, turnovers sink New Mexico State in 31-10 loss to SDSU

James Martin, Sports Editor
September 14, 2019
The Aggies only manage to register 12 shots compared to a whopping 23 for UTEP in their overtime loss.

UTEP comes back to knock off NM State in final minutes

James Martin, Sports Editor
September 12, 2019
The Aggies ride an early second half goal and strong final hour of play to a 1-1 draw with Texas State.

New Mexico State soccer ekes out draw with Texas State

James Martin, Sports Editor
September 8, 2019
New Mexico State allows 318 rushing yards on 9.9 yards per carry in their 62-10 loss to Alabama.

NM State falls to Crimson Tide in 62-10 blowout

James Martin, Sports Editor
September 7, 2019
The Alabama Crimson Tide, led by Heisman hopeful Tua Tagovailoa, look to win their third National Title in the past five seasons. (Photo courtesy of CBS Sports)

Know your foe: The Alabama Crimson Tide

James Martin, Sports Editor
September 5, 2019
Two of the nations most pass happy offenses meet tonight, with NM State and WSU combining for over 1,200 pass attempts in 2018.

Keys to the game: New Mexico State vs. Washington State

James Martin, Sports Editor
August 31, 2019
NM State drops their opener 3-1 to an aggressive Abilene Christian, who registered seven shots on target and earned nine corners.

Aggies show signs of growth, still fall short in season opener vs. Abilene Christian

Mia Tontodonati and James Martin
August 23, 2019
New Mexico State kicks off the 2019 football season next Saturday at No. 23 Washington State.

NM State wraps up fall camp with season on the horizon

James Martin, Sports Editor
August 23, 2019
Image courtesy of NMSU

Juniper Hall will be open for move-in, administrators confirm

Alanna Herrera and James Martin
August 14, 2019
After falling in game one to Texas Tech, New Mexico State responds with their first win over a Top-25 opponent of the season in the back half of the doubleheader.

Aggies exorcise demons against ranked opponents, split with Texas Tech

James Martin, Sports Editor
April 30, 2019
New Mexico State beats UMKC 12-10 and 11-6 to ensure a winning record in-conference for the seventh straight season.

NM State wins on senior night, sweeps series with UMKC

James Martin, Sports Editor
April 27, 2019
New Mexico State hands Grand Canyon two of their three conference losses, winning the first and last games of the weekend series.

Aggies close gap on first-place GCU with series win

James Martin, Sports Editor
April 20, 2019
With three weeks left in the regular season, head coach Kathy Rodolph and the Aggies are depending on the contributions of what has been an excellent group of freshmen to propel the program to its fifth consecutive WAC Championship.

Rodolph trusts freshmen as New Mexico State softball enters crucial stretch of season

James Martin, Sports Editor
April 12, 2019
New Mexico State pulls to .500 in conference play with less than a month left in the regular season after Saturday night's late win over UVU.

Diaz continues to shine in Aggies’ doubleheader split with Utah Valley

James Martin, Sports Editor
April 6, 2019
Samaria Diaz strikes out 13 and throws her second one-hit game in a row in the first tilt of NM State's doubleheader vs. the Lobos.

NM State gets back on track with commanding showings against UNM

James Martin, Sports Editor
April 2, 2019
New Mexico State cancels their next two games against Santa Clara and Cal Poly following a positive COVID test from within the program.

Heartbreaking loss eliminates New Mexico State from NCAA Tournament

James Martin, Sports Editor
March 21, 2019
New Mexico State finishes spring football practice with their annual Crimson and White intrasquad scrimmage Wednesday night.

Observations from NM State football’s spring game

James Martin, Sports Editor
March 20, 2019
New Mexico State improves their record against GCU to 13-2 all time, beating the Lopes by 32 on their way to a seventh conference tournament title in the last eight years.

Aggies obliterate GCU, earn spot in Big Dance with historic WAC Tournament victory

James Martin, Sports Editor
March 16, 2019
New Mexico State enters tonight's WAC Tournament Final with a 12-2 all-time record against Grand Canyon.

Opinion: GCU need a win to have any chance at rivalry with NM State

James Martin, Sports Editor
March 16, 2019
The Aggies win a program record 29th game of the season to earn their eighth straight appearance in the WAC Tournament title game.

Survive and advance: New Mexico State advances to title game after gritty win over UTRGV

James Martin, Sports Editor
March 15, 2019
New Mexico State explodes for 51 points in the second half on their way to their big quarterfinal win over the Cougars.

Second half surge propels NM State into WAC Tournament Semis

James Martin, Sports Editor
March 14, 2019
New Mexico State hopes to ride their momentum into the conference tournament and secure their third straight postseason title and first 30-win season in program history.

Aggies begin pursuit for third-straight WAC Tournament title

James Martin, Sports Editor
March 14, 2019
Gia Pack scores 28 points in 28 minutes and records a WAC Tournament record seven steals in the Aggies' 90-54 win over Chicago State.

New Mexico State women’s basketball begins WAC Tourney with blowout victory over Chicago State

James Martin, Sports Editor
March 13, 2019
NM State head coach Chris Jans after the Aggies celebrated winning the WAC regular season title.

NM State’s Chris Jans named WAC Coach of the Year for second-consecutive season

James Martin, Sports Editor
March 12, 2019
The Aggies head in to the conference tournament at a high after downing Cal Baptist for their 16th straight win.

NM State finish regular season with big win over CBU on senior night

James Martin, Sports Editor
March 9, 2019
New Mexico State musters just seven combined hits in their 11-3 and 11-1 losses to U of A in the Tuesday night doubleheader.

Aggies struggle in both legs of doubleheader against No. 12 Arizona

James Martin, Sports Editor
March 5, 2019
Head Coach Doug Martin watching over practice drills

New Mexico State football look to put 2018 season in rearview mirror as spring practice begins

James Martin, Sports Editor
March 1, 2019
AJ Harris drills four from long range in NM State's 88-79 win over UTRGV.

Aggies clinch top seed in WAC Tournament, share of regular season title with win over UTRGV

James Martin, Sports Editor
February 23, 2019
Trevelin Queen finishes an acrobatic reverse layup in the first half of NM State's lopsided win over the Dustdevils.

New Mexico State blows out DII Texas A&M International

James Martin, Sports Editor
February 19, 2019
New Mexico State escapes with a 59-53 win over the second-to-last place Seattle Redhawks, positioning themselves one game away from clinching the WAC.

Aggies overcome slow start to take down Seattle for 11th straight victory

James Martin, Sports Editor
February 16, 2019
After continuing their offensive excellence vs. Texas State, the Aggies come up short for the first time this season against Bradley, scoring just three runs in the back half of the late-night doubleheader.

NM State Softball split doubleheader on day one of Troy Cox Classic

James Martin, Sports Editor
February 15, 2019
Eli Chuha and JoJo Zamora combine for 38 points in the Aggies' 84-77 win over Utah Valley.

NM State holds off Utah Valley in first game of home stand

James Martin, Sports Editor
February 14, 2019
Nikki Butler hits what ends up being the game-winning home run against UNM and the win-sealing three-run double against UTEP to ensure a 3-0 start to NM State's season.

New Mexico State sweeps rivalry double-header behind hot hitting

James Martin, Sports Editor
February 9, 2019
NM State hits an efficient .375, including three home runs, in their 11-4 drubbing of Creighton.

NM State opens 2019 with a dominant win over Creighton

James Martin, Sports Editor
February 8, 2019
New Mexico State looks to continue a historic stretch of success this season after winning both the WAC regular season title and WAC Tournament in back-to-back years.

Aggies kick off softball season hosting NM State Invitational

James Martin, Sports Editor
February 7, 2019
New Mexico State splash 15 from long distance in their most dominant win of the season.

Hot shooting from three helps Aggies blow out Chicago State

James Martin, Sports Editor
February 2, 2019
Terrell Brown leads the way with 15 points in NM State's 70-54 win over UMKC.

Imposing second half performance lifts Aggies to sixth straight win

James Martin, Sports Editor
January 31, 2019
After undergoing an MRI earlier this week, junior big man Ivan Aurrecoechea is ruled out indefinitely after suffering a knee injury against UTRGV.

New Mexico State returns to Pan Am, Aurrecoechea ruled out indefinitely

James Martin, Sports Editor
January 31, 2019
After taking care of business on the road against Seattle and Utah Valley, New Mexico State turns their attention to UTRGV looking to extend their winning streak to five.

NM State aim to cap off successful road trip with a win at UTRGV

James Martin, Sports Editor
January 24, 2019
New Mexico State recovers from an early deficit to blow Seattle out by 20.

Salas, NM State take care of Seattle in their return to the Pan-Am

James Martin, Sports Editor
January 17, 2019
New Mexico State is back on track, winning back-to-back games against top conference opponents in GCU and CSUB.

Lights out second half helps NM State come back against CSUB

James Martin, Sports Editor
January 12, 2019
Johnny McCants watches his legendary half-court heave fly toward the basket as the clock expires. Game: Aggies.

McCants hits from half-court, Aggies stun GCU at the buzzer

James Martin, Sports Editor
January 10, 2019
Ivan Aurrecoechea and the Aggies top Cal State Northridge to win their second straight in blowout fashion.

NM State continue to roll with throttling of CSUN

James Martin, Sports Editor
December 19, 2018
AJ Harris drives to the bucket in New Mexico State's 74-62 win over UNC.

Aggies bounce back against Northern Colorado after extended break

James Martin, Sports Editor
December 17, 2018
Brooke Salas' 24 points aren't enough to lift a struggling NM State offense over in-state rival UNM.

Turnovers cost New Mexico State in loss to Lobos

James Martin, Sports Editor
December 15, 2018
Aaliyah Prince posts 12 points, eight boards, three assists and a team-high four steals in the Aggies' 56-46 win over the Redhawks.

NM State women’s basketball gets back on track, blows out NNMC 101-51

James Martin, Sports Editor
November 26, 2018
Redshirt-freshman Josh Adkins' growth at the quarterback position gives head coach Doug Martin stability at the position for the forseeable future.

Aggie offense provides bright future for NM State football heading into 2019

James Martin, Sports Editor
November 26, 2018
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