Postgame Notes: State vs. Arkansas

TEAM NOTES

Mississippi State grinded its way to its third consecutive victory and edged the Razorbacks, 71-67, in a back-and-forth affair that featured eight ties and four lead changes during the second half to improve to 17-8 overall and 6-6 in SEC action.
The Bulldogs have won nine of the last 11 meetings over Arkansas since the 2015-16 season highlighted by five straight victories in Starkville.
State has held its opponents to less than 70 points in 44 of 59 games (74.6 percent) in two seasons under Coach Jans.
State improved to 10-2 this season and 22-6 over the last two seasons under Coach Jans playing at Humphrey Coliseum. Overall, Coach Jans is 89-17 in home games during his 8th season at the NCAA Division I level.
The Maroon and White moved to 14-1 this season and 32-4 over the last two seasons under Coach Jans when leading at the half.
State improved to 10-2 this season and 19-4 over the last two seasons under Coach Jans during day games.
The Bulldogs have won nine of their 12 games under Coach Jans, while Coach Jans is 46-12 overall over his eight seasons at the NCAA Division I level in February games.
State tucked away a 42-27 rebounding advantage and have won the battle of the boards during 20 of the 25 games this season.
The Bulldogs moved to 10-2 this season and 22-6 over the last two seasons when grabbing 40+ rebounds.
State has earned a double-digit rebounding edge in nine games this season and on 19 overall occasions under Coach Jans over the last two seasons.
The Maroon and White hauled down 17 offensive rebounds, which led to 13 of the game's 21 second-chance points.
The Bulldogs scored 20 of their 24 baskets on the interior en route to outscoring Arkansas in paint points, 40-30.
All 17 of State's wins this season have come when the Bulldogs have eclipsed 60 points. The Maroon and White improved to 36-12 over the last two seasons when scoring 60 or more points under Coach Jans.
In 118 halves over the last two seasons with Coach Jans at the helm, State has allowed 30 points or fewer on 59 occasions (50.0 percent).
The Maroon and White improved to 17-6 this season and 33-9 over the last two seasons under Coach Jans when shooting 40.0 percent or higher.
State connected on 24-of-50 from the floor (48.0 percent), sank 4-of-15 from three-point territory (26.7 percent) and hit on 19-of-32 at the charity stripe (59.4 percent).
State has 11 of 13 games this season and moved to 19-4 over the last two seasons under Coach Jans when making 15 or more free throws.
Conversely, Arkansas turned in a 25-for-55 shooting clip (45.5 percent), hit on 3-for-17 of its three-pointers (17.6 percent) and produced a 14-for-19 mark from the free throw line (73.7 percent).

PLAYER NOTES

Cameron Matthews

Started 58 of the team's 59 games over the last two seasons.
Stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and a block.
Secured his 4th double-double of 2023-24 and the 5th double-double of his career.
State has won four of five games when Matthews secures a double-double.
Marked his 11th game of the season in double figures with 19 of his 22 games with 10+ points over the last two seasons. State is 17-5 lifetime on those games.
The 17 points ties for Matthews' highest-scoring outing against an SEC opponent and ties for his 3rd-highest scoring output of his career.
Finished 6-for-7 from the field which marks his 9th outing of the season and 13th career outing with 5+ field goals.
Grabbed 10+ rebounds for the 7th outing in 2023-24 and his 13th career outing.
Handed out 3+ dimes for the 12th time this season and 35th time of his career.
Compiled 42 of 60 games with multiple assists and 42 of 60 games of 5+ rebounds during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.

Josh Hubbard

Earned the nod in the starting five for the 6th straight game.
Collected a team-leading 19 points and has produced double figures in 21 of 25 games on the season.
Amassed 375 total points which is 5th-most for a freshman in program history through 25 games and the most since Rickey Brown (1976-77).
Knocked down multiple treys for the 21st time and has drained 69 of his 117 field goals from beyond the arc (59.0 percent).
Marked his 12th game with 5+ field goals made.
Distributed 3+ assists for the 9th outing of the season.

Tolu Smith III

Started in 95 of his 98 career games at State.
Produced 8 points, 8 rebounds and a season-high two blocks.
Marked his 14th career outing of multiple blocks.
Finished with a team-best +9 plus/minus from the floor.
Smith's 2 made field goals gives him sole possession of 14th-place on the program's field goals made list with 524 made baskets.
Passed Ravern Johnson (2008-09-10-11) on the program's all time list during today's game.

Shakeel Moore

Made 61 of his 63 career starts while at State and has started the team's last 17 games.
Secured 7 points going a perfect 3-for-3 from the field and finished 2-for-2 from the line fueled by a pair of clutch free throws with 7.7 seconds left.
Over the last six games, Moore is averaging 11.8 points per contest.
Recorded a steal in 81 of 114 games.

Shawn Jones Jr.

Inserted into the starting five for the third-straight game, fourth time this season and the fourth time over his 49 career appearances.
Managed 7 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
Marked his 8th game of the season and 9th career effort with multiple dimes.

Bench

KeShawn Murphy compiled 4 points, 7 rebounds and an assist.
Recorded his 2nd game of the season and 4th game of his career with 5+ rebounds.
Dashawn Davis tucked away 4 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals.
Secured multiple steals for the 11th time this season, whereas 29 of his 42 career games of 2+ steals have come during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.
Jimmy Bell Jr. added 3 points and 4 rebounds.
D.J. Jeffries returned to action for the first time since State's contest at Alabama 14 days ago.

Mississippi State University Athletics

Postgame Notes: State vs. Arkansas

Players Mentioned

Jimmy Bell Jr.

Dashawn Davis

Josh Hubbard

D.J. Jeffries

Shawn Jones Jr.

Cameron Matthews

Shakeel Moore

KeShawn Murphy

Tolu Smith III

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