Mississippi State falls to Auburn in SEC tournament, 79-61

Mississippi State’s men’s basketball team lost to Auburn 79-61 in the SEC tournament on March 11, according to postgame comments from coach Chris Jans.

Jans said the game shifted in the second half due to turnovers and Auburn’s fast-paced transition offense. He noted that the Bulldogs struggled to match Auburn’s pace and could not sustain offensive production.

“The end of the first half was not what we needed. We got up 10 but then didn’t score, and they ended the half on a 7-0 run,” Jans said. “In the second half, turnovers and their transition game took advantage of us. They turned turnovers into quick buckets, which hurt us.”

Auburn had four players finish in double figures, while Mississippi State had only two scorers reach double digits. Jans reflected on the season’s challenges, citing injuries and a tough non-conference schedule that hampered their NCAA tournament hopes.

Players Josh Hubbard and Jayden Epps discussed their performances and the difficulties in containing Auburn’s perimeter attack. Hubbard acknowledged Auburn’s physicality and the need to adjust defensively, while Epps mentioned the team’s effort to find offensive rhythm against Auburn’s different defensive looks.

The Bulldogs concluded their season with a record that fell short of NCAA tournament eligibility, with Jans confirming they will not participate in any postseason tournaments.

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