Postgame Notes: State vs. Kansas State

TEAM NOTES

Mississippi State was handed a 98-77 defeat by Kansas State during Thursday's semifinal matchup at the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic held at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
Both of State's losses have come against Big 12 opponents this season: Iowa State on 11/10 and Kansas State on 11/20.
The Bulldogs return to action against New Mexico from the Mountain West Conference in Friday's consolation matchup. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. CT, and the game will be streamed online by Peacock.
After a pair of ties and six early lead changes, Kansas State scored 15 of the stanza's last 25 points to stretch a 29-26 advantage to 44-36 at halftime over a 5:39 span.
The Wildcats quickly extended their lead into double figures, 54-41, at the 15:35 mark of the second half.
State hung around and pulled within single digits on multiple occasions, the latest at 71-64 with 8:46 to go after pair of Josh Hubbard free throws.
Kansas State responded with an 11-0 spurt over the next 2:31 to go ahead by 18 points. The Wildcats would lead by as many as 23 points before closing out the 21-point triumph.
Keys to the K-State win was a 17-4 spread in its favor in points off turnovers and fastbreak points coupled with a 42-30 advantage in paint points.
State fell to 37-5 versus non-SEC opponents during the regular season under Coach Jans.
The Bulldogs dropped to 5-2 in multi-team tournament games under Coach Jans.
State had its three-game winning streak opening games of multi-team tournaments come to a close with Coach Jans at the helm.
The Maroon and White have lost four of five decisions to K-State on the hardwood.
The Bulldogs are now 11-4 in regular season games against fellow major conference squads (ACC, BIG EAST, Big Ten, Big 12, former Pac-12) under Coach Jans.
Coach Jans has guided the Bulldogs to a 21-4 record during the month of November.
State knocked down 26-of-60 from the floor (43.3 percent), 7-of-25 from three-point territory (28.0 percent) and an 18-of-23 mark at the free throw line (78.3 percent).
Conversely, Kansas State recorded a 37-of-73 shooting effort (50.7 percent), connected on a 14-of-30 clip on its three-pointers (46.7 percent) and tallied a 10-for-11 mark at the charity stripe (90.9 percent).

PLAYER NOTES

Josh Hubbard

Started his 54th consecutive game over the past three seasons where he has led State in scoring during 37 of those 54 outings.
His team-leading 23 points was on 7-of-15 shooting and an 8-of-9 clip at the foul line.
Notched 10+ points in 67 of 73 career games fueled by double figures in 46 of his last 47 outings (02/24/2024-11/20/2025).
Scored 20+ points in three of four outings this season and for the 30th time in his career.
His 23 points bring his career total to 1,330 career points which helped him pass Tang Hamilton (1998-99-2000-01) to move into 21st place on the program's all-time list.
Hubbard enters the New Mexico game 23 points away from eclipsing Tyson Carter (2017-18-19-20).
Hit a three-pointer in a school-record 51 consecutive games (02/07/2024-11/20/2025).

Ja'Borri McGhee

Made his 40th start in 41 games between State and UAB over the last two seasons.
Dished out a season's best four assists and delivered multiple assists in 29 games over the last two seasons.

Shawn Jones Jr.

Opened scoring for the Bulldogs with a midrange floater in the lane.
Came away with four points, six rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Grabbed 5+ rebounds in all four games this season and in 14 career outings.
Provided multiple assists in three of four games this season and in 21 career appearances.
Swatted multiple shots for the first time this season and for the 10th time in his career.

Achor Achor

Chipped in five points and a team-leading nine rebounds.
Led the Bulldogs in rebounding in three straight games.
Grabbed 5+ rebounds in all four games this season and for the 37^th time in his career.

Quincy Ballard

Started his 71st consecutive game between Wichita State and Mississippi State over the last three seasons.
Garnered a season-high 10 points and added six rebounds.
Scored double figures for the first time as a Bulldog and on 32 career occasions.
Grabbed 5+ rebounds in three of four games this season and for the 57th time in his career.

Bench

The Bulldogs have outscored their opponent in bench points in three and four games this season en route to a 34-24 edge over the Wildcats.
Jayden Epps racked up a season-high 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting and a quartet of three's.
Surpassed 1,200 points in his 90th career game.
The 18 points are the highest scoring effort for the Bulldogs off the bench this season.
Epps has secured 10+ points in two of his three outings this season and in 64 career games.
Drained multiple three-pointers for the first time this season and the 43rd time in his career to bring his career total to 160.
Sergej Macura drained his first career three-pointer during the first half.
Jamarion Davis-Fleming secured two points, four rebounds and a block.
Davis-Fleming has tallied a block in all four games for State.
King Grace (4 points), Brandon Walker (4 points) and Amier Ali (3 points) rounded out the scoring for the Bulldogs.

Postgame Notes: State vs. Kansas State

Players Mentioned

Achor Achor

Amier Ali

Quincy Ballard

Jamarion Davis-Fleming

Jayden Epps

King Grace

Josh Hubbard

Shawn Jones Jr.

Sergej Macura

Ja’Borri McGhee

Brandon Walker

Mississippi State University Athletics

Postgame Notes: State vs. Kansas State

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Players Mentioned

Achor Achor

Amier Ali

Quincy Ballard

Jamarion Davis-Fleming

Jayden Epps

King Grace

Josh Hubbard

Shawn Jones Jr.

Sergej Macura

Ja’Borri McGhee

Brandon Walker

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