Auburn tops Mississippi State 79-61 in SEC tournament opener

Mississippi State’s men’s basketball season concluded Wednesday with a 79-61 loss to Auburn in the SEC tournament in Nashville, Tennessee. The Bulldogs started strong, gaining a 12-1 run in the first half to lead 33-23, but Auburn responded with a seven-point run to close the half at 33-30.

In the second half, Auburn took control, opening a 51-40 lead with 14:05 remaining. Mississippi State battled back, narrowing the gap to three points at 56-53 over a 4-minute, 40-second span. However, Auburn responded with a 23-8 run, sealing the victory.

Josh Hubbard led Mississippi State with 22 points and three assists. Achor Achor contributed seven points and eight rebounds, but the effort wasn’t enough to rally the Bulldogs. Mississippi State finished the season with a 13-19 overall record and a 5-14 mark in SEC play, including Wednesday’s loss.

Auburn shot 41.5% from the field and 36.7% from three-point range, while Mississippi State shot 39.1% overall and 26.1% from beyond the arc. The Tigers also out-rebounded the Bulldogs 43-39 and committed fewer turnovers, with only seven compared to Mississippi State’s 11.

The Bulldogs’ season ends with their third consecutive losing record, while Auburn advances in the conference tournament. The game was part of the SEC tournament held at Bridgestone Arena, with both teams seeking postseason success.

Source: Original Article