Postgame Notes: No. 21 MSU at Georgia Tech

TEAM NOTES

After falling behind by 13 at halftime in its first true road game of the season, Mississippi State was able to outscore Georgia Tech during the second half before falling from the ranks of the unbeatens by a 67-59 decision in the inaugural ACC/SEC Challenge.
The Yellow Jackets have a 17-13 all-time series edge between the former SEC rivals.
State fell to 7-2 against non-conference Power 6 basketball schools (ACC, BIG EAST, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12) with Jans at the helm. Both setbacks are against ACC squads in Georgia Tech and Pittsburgh during last year's NCAA Tournament.
The Bulldogs scored 13 of their 20 baskets on the interior en route a 26-20 advantage in paint points.
State lost the battle of the boards, 45-43, for the first time on the season. However, the Bulldogs scored 13 of the game's 18 points on second-chance opportunities.
In 82 halves over two seasons under the direction of Coach Jans, State has limited its opponents to 30 points or less during a half on 47 occasions (57.3 percent) and held the opposition to under a 35 percent shooting clip 29 times (35.4 percent).
The two teams scored 24 points apiece off the bench. Entering the game, the Maroon and White had outscored its opponents by a 194-68 margin over the last five games.
State connected on 20-of-65 from the floor (30.8 percent), a 7-of-30 clip from three-point territory (23.3 percent) and a 12-of-16 mark at the charity stripe (75.0 percent).
The seven treys bring State's season total to 55 which is third-most in program history through seven games.
Conversely, Georgia Tech turned in a 21-for-61 shooting effort (34.4 percent), went 8-for-27 on its three-pointers (29.6 percent) and was 17-for-23 from the foul line (73.9 percent).

PLAYER NOTES

Jimmy Bell Jr.

Started his 41st consecutive game over the last two seasons between Mississippi State and West Virginia.
Overall, Bell Jr. has started in 105 of 122 career games.
Dominated the boards with 10 of his game-leading 13 rebounds in the first half.
Grabbed 10+ rebounds for the 4th time this season and the 6th time of his career.
Added 6 points coupled with a season's best 2 assists.
Marked his 7th career game with 2+ assists.

Dashawn Davis

Started 57 of his 65 games during his tenure at Mississippi State and Oregon State over the last three seasons.
Put up 12 points, all during the second half, highlighted by a 5-of-6 effort at the foul line.
Registered 10+ points for the third time over the last four games.
Fired in double-digit points for the 4th time this season and 30th time over his career.
Chipped in 3 rebounds and equaled his season's best with 3 steals.
Recorded 20 of his 33 career games with multiple steals over the last two seasons at State.

D.J. Jeffries

Started 71 of 74 career games at State.
Provided a season-high 10 points to go along with 6 rebounds and 2 steals.
Marked his 1st outing of 2023-24 and his 59th career outing in double figures.
MSU fell to 22-11 over the last three seasons when Jeffries scores 10+ points.
Collected 5+ rebounds in 5 of 7 games this season and for the 58th time of his career.
Grabbed 2 steals for the 2nd time in 2023-24 and the 28th time of his career.

Cameron Matthews

Started 40 of the team's 41 games over the last two seasons.
Came away with 2 points and 6 rebounds.
Collected 28 of 46 games of 5+ rebounds during the last two seasons.

Trey Fort

Started his seventh consecutive game at State to open 2023-24.
Tacked on 5 points with 11 of his 16 field goals on the season (68.8 percent) coming from beyond the three-point line.

Bench

Josh Hubbard recorded his sixth straight game in double figures with a team-leading 17 points on a 6-for-18 shooting effort.
For the season, 19 of his 37 field goals (51.4 percent) are triples.
Matched his season-high with 4 rebounds.
Shakeel Moore came away with 4 points and 3 rebounds, while Shawn Jones Jr. rounded out the scoring with 3 points, 3 rebounds and a block.

Mississippi State University Athletics

Postgame Notes: No. 21 MSU at Georgia Tech

Players Mentioned

Jimmy Bell Jr.

Dashawn Davis

Trey Fort

Josh Hubbard

D.J. Jeffries

Shawn Jones Jr.

Cameron Matthews

Shakeel Moore

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