Mississippi State beats Ole Miss 90-78 in men’s basketball

Mississippi State defeated Ole Miss 90-78 Saturday in Oxford, marking their first win against the Rebels this season, according to postgame comments from Bulldogs coach Chris Jans.

Jans credited his team’s strong finish to the first half and their defensive resilience. “We played with more edge today,” Jans said. “Our guys guarded the ball better and flew around more, especially in the first 30 minutes.”

The coach highlighted improvements in ball-screen defense after a rough start. “We addressed it at halftime and made adjustments,” Jans explained. “Jamar (McGhee) and Jayden (Epps) played significant roles in stabilizing us on defense.”

Jans also praised Josh Hubbard’s efficiency and contributions. “Josh was very effective tonight, especially against Ole Miss — his hometown team,” he said. “That game meant a lot to him.”

He noted the importance of rebounding from guards, citing Shawn Jones Jr. and Jayden Epps. “Guard rebounding takes pressure off our bigs,” Jans said. “Epps impacted the game even when his shot wasn’t falling, which shows his effort and focus.”

Jans expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance and their success against Ole Miss. “I’ve always done well in rivalry games, and I’m glad we could get this win,” he said. “We prepared like it was the Super Bowl, and it paid off.”

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