Missouri defeated Mississippi State 84-79 Saturday at Mizzou Arena, concluding the first half of SEC play. The Tigers improved to 12-11 overall and have won four of their last five meetings against the Bulldogs, who fell to 11-11 and 3-6 in conference play, according to team sources.
The game featured a hot start from Missouri, which made six of eight three-pointers in the first 7:30 to build a 24-14 lead. Mississippi State responded with a 12-1 run over the next 3:44, taking a 26-25 advantage with 8:44 remaining in the first half. Jayden Epps and King Grace hit consecutive three-pointers during the run.
The Tigers regained momentum, ending the half with a 42-35 lead. Missouri extended its margin to 16 points, 62-46, with 13:03 left. Mississippi State chipped away, pulling within 74-71 on a four-point play by Josh Hubbard with 2:22 remaining. Hubbard scored 13 second-half points, finishing with 22 overall.
Missouri sealed the win by shooting 10-for-12 at the free-throw line in the final minutes. The Bulldogs scored 28 of their 45 points in the second half from beyond the arc, hitting 11 three-pointers, their season-high for makes from three-point range. Mississippi State shot 43.1% from the floor and 39.3% from three.
Hubbard, a junior guard, started his 72nd consecutive game and scored 20 of his 22 points in the second half. He moved into ninth place on the SEC career scoring list during the game, passing Dominique Wilkins. Hubbard also tied his career-high with six rebounds and matched a season high with three steals. Jayden Epps scored 23 points, while Grace added seven. Jamarion Davis-Fleming led the team with eight rebounds.
Mississippi State’s bench outscored Missouri’s 35-19. The Bulldogs have scored more bench points than opponents in 15 of 22 games this season. The team now stands 11-6 when scoring 70 or more points and 11-6 when shooting at least 40%. Missouri finished shooting 43.1%, making 9 of 26 three-pointers and converting 25 of 33 free throws, with 21 points off turnovers.
