Mississippi State opens season with 106-88 win over Tennessee Tech

Mississippi State opened its 2026-27 men’s basketball season with a 106-88 victory over Tennessee Tech on Monday at Humphrey Coliseum. The Bulldogs’ 106 points matched their highest total in a game under coach Chris Jans and marked their most in a season opener since a 106-88 win over Eastern Washington in 2015-16.

The teams were tied at 31 with 5:26 left in the first half before Mississippi State closed the period on a 22-6 run. The Bulldogs took a 53-37 lead into halftime and stretched the advantage to 22 points, 88-66, on a Tajuan Simpkins three-point play with 7:01 remaining.

Josh Hubbard led Mississippi State with 25 points, while Grace scored a career-high 23 off the bench. Hubbard made 7 of 11 shots, including 3 of 4 from 3-point range, and added a career-best nine assists. Grace also set career highs with eight rebounds and four assists, shooting 8 for 12 from the field.

Simpkins contributed 15 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. RJ Johnson scored 12 points. The Bulldogs’ reserves outscored Tennessee Tech’s bench 48-22, with Grace and Simpkins combining for 38 points.

Mississippi State shot 58.3% from the field, making 35 of 60 attempts, and went 12 for 24 from 3-point range. The Bulldogs outrebounded Tennessee Tech 39-26 and recorded 23 assists. Tennessee Tech shot 48.5% overall and made 9 of 32 3-pointers.

Hubbard moved to 1,972 career points, remaining fourth on Mississippi State’s career scoring list. He is 41 points from passing Quinndary Weatherspoon for third and 28 points from reaching 2,000. Hubbard also moved into ninth on the Southeastern Conference’s career 3-point list with 314.

Mississippi State has won 13 of its last 14 season openers since 2013-14 and is 5-0 against Tennessee Tech. The Bulldogs’ next scheduled game is against Northwestern State.

Source: Original Article