Mississippi State beats Ole Miss 90-78 in SEC matchup
Mississippi State topped Ole Miss 90-78 Saturday evening at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion. The Bulldogs have won four of the last five meetings with the Rebels, holding a 153-121 series lead, according to school records.
State started strong, with Achor Achor scoring the team’s first 11 points, including a corner three. The Bulldogs opened a 13-3 lead early and closed the first half with a 16-2 run to lead 47-28 at halftime.
The Bulldogs shot 57.9% from the floor, making 33 of 57 shots, their season best. They also hit 11 of 24 three-pointers (45.8%) and made 13 of 22 free throws (59.1%). State is 4-1 this season and 25-7 under coach Chris Jans when shooting at least 50% from the field. They are 6-1 this season when making 10 or more three-pointers.
Ole Miss shot 41.5% (27 of 65), hitting 8 of 26 three-pointers (30.8%) and making 16 of 21 free throws (76.2%).
Josh Hubbard led State with 32 points, shooting 12 of 16 from the field, including four three-pointers. Hubbard, who started his 75th consecutive game, scored his 86th career game with 10 or more points, passing Jamont Gordon for seventh in school history. He also scored 30+ points for the fifth time this season, with eight of his nine career 30+ point games against SEC opponents.
Hubbard also broke Barry Stewart’s program record with 284 career three-pointers, and he sits 23 triples shy of entering the SEC’s top 10. He added five assists, his eighth game of at least five assists this season. With 1,776 career points, Hubbard is 63 points shy of fifth place on Mississippi State’s all-time scoring list and nine points from surpassing Vernon Maxwell on the SEC list.
Jayden Epps contributed 12 points, a career-high seven rebounds, and three assists. It marked his 17th game with double figures this season. Shawn Jones Jr. added four points, eight rebounds, and three assists, leading the Bulldogs in rebounding for the second time this season.
Achor Achor scored a season-high 18 points, making six of eight shots, including three three-pointers. It was his fifth game with double digits this season and his seventh career game with multiple three-pointers. Quincy Ballard added six points and four rebounds, marking his 21st start of the season.
State’s bench contributed all 18 points, with Ja’Borri McGhee leading with seven points and two assists. Sergej Macura scored five points, and Jamarion Davis-Fleming added six points and five rebounds.
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