Postgame Notes: State vs. New Mexico

TEAM NOTES

Mississippi State dropped a back-and-forth affair, 80-78, to New Mexico during Friday's consolation matchup at the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
It marked the first matchup between the two squads on the hardwood. Coach Jans fell to 5-4 against New Mexico, his previous eight outings were as New Mexico State's head coach.
The game featured six of its seven ties and 12 of its 14 lead changes in the second half.
Trailing 21-14 at the 10:52 mark of the first half, Josh Hubbard buried three triples within a 58-second span to pull State within one at 24-23.
The Bulldogs trailed 40-39 going into the locker room, but State immediately took the lead on the opening half of the second half courtesy of a Jayden Epps runner.
Neither team would lead by more than four points for the rest of the contest.
Jamarion Davis-Fleming would break a 71-71 tie on a layup with 3:28 remaining. State took its final advantage, 77-76, on a Hubbard floater with 1:50 to go.
The Lobos converted a layup off a turnover to take a 78-77 edge inside the final minute.
On the next possession, Hubbard was unable to connect on a step back trey. The scramble for the rebound resulted in a jump ball which gave New Mexico possession with 8.8 seconds on the clock.
After making two foul shots to take an 80-77 lead, the Lobos intentionally fouled Epps to send him to the free throw line with 3.8 seconds left.
Epps made the first free throw and missed the second which resulted in a back tap where New Mexico gained possession and ran out the clock to seal the win.
Hubbard and Epps combined for 50 of State's 78 points coupled with 10 of the team's 13 assists on the night.
The Bulldogs are 3-3 under Coach Jans when two players score at least 20+ points.
Keys to the New Mexico win was a 46-36 advantage in the rebounding battle. The Lobos grabbed 13 offensive rebounds which resulted in 13 second-chance points.
New Mexico tallied a +12 advantage and connected on 7-of-8 at the free throw line during the second half.
The Bulldogs were able to get on the interior and converted on 18 of their 31 field goals to garner a 36-32 edge in paint points.
State fell to 37-6 versus non-SEC opponents during the regular season under Coach Jans.
The Bulldogs dropped to 5-3 in multi-team tournament games under Coach Jans.
Coach Jans has guided the Bulldogs to a 21-5 record during the month of November.
State knocked down 31-of-68 from the floor (45.6 percent), drained 9-of-29 from three-point territory (31.0 percent) and hit on a 7-of-13 clip at the free throw line (53.8 percent).
Conversely, New Mexico recorded a 26-of-63 shooting effort (41.3 percent), connected on a 9-of-27 clip on its three-pointers (33.3 percent) and tallied a 19-for-25 mark at the charity stripe (76.0 percent).

PLAYER NOTES

Josh Hubbard

Started his 55th consecutive game over the past three seasons where he has led the Bulldogs in scoring during 38 of those 55 outings.
Poured in a season's best 29 points which also equaled a career-high point total versus a non-conference opponent.
Hubbard also scored 29 points during his freshmen season against Northwestern (11/19/2023) at the Hall of Fame Tipoff Tournament in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Eclipsed 20+ points in four of five outings this season and for the 31st time in his career.
Notched 10+ points in 68 of 74 career games fueled by double figures in 47 of his last 48 outings (02/24/2024-11/21/2025).
The 29 points bring Hubbard's career total to 1,359 points which helped him surpass Tyson Carter (2017-18-19-20) to move into 20th place on the program's all-time scoring list.
Hubbard enters the New Orleans game four points shy from leapfrogging Gavin Ware (2013-14-15-16) in the State record book.
The 1359 career points are the fourth highest in State history through 74 games. Hubbard trails only Bailey Howell (2024 points – 1957-58-59), Jerry Jenkins (1422 points – 1973-74-75) and Jim Ashmore (1362 points – 1954-55-56-57)
Fired in a season-high five of his six triples during the first half.
Hit a three-pointer in a school-record 52 consecutive games (02/07/2024-11/21/2025).
Recorded five or more three's made in 15 career games.
Delivered multiple assists in all five outings so far this season and in 53 career games.
Collected multiple steals for the third time this season and for the 16th time in his career.
Earned All-Tournament status at a multi-team tournament in all three seasons at State.

Jayden Epps

Opened the scoring for the Bulldogs with a catch-and-shoot three on the wing.
Returned to the starting lineup for the first time since the season opener versus North Alabama.
Made his 63rd career start between his stops at Illinois, Georgetown and State.
Dialed up a season-high 21 points to go with six assists, two rebounds and a steal.
Epps has secured 10+ points in three of his four outings this season and in 65 career games.
Drained multiple three-pointers for the second straight game and for the 44th time in his career to bring his career total to 162.
Delivered multiple dimes in 55 career games and 5+ assists in 16 outings.

Shawn Jones Jr.

Started in all five outings this season after he started 13 times over his first three seasons.
Came away with two points and three rebounds before he fouled out.

Achor Achor

Earned the starting nod in his 75th career game including all five in the Maroon and White.
Contributed five rebounds and has grabbed 5+ rebounds in all five games this season.

Quincy Ballard

Started his 72nd consecutive game between Wichita State and Mississippi State over the last three seasons.
Recorded six points and six rebounds.
Grabbed 5+ rebounds in four of five games this season and for the 58th time in his career.

Bench

State's bench shot an efficient 9-of-17 (52.9 percent) from the field as a unit in the effort.
Jamarion Davis-Fleming recorded season-highs with six points and six rebounds.
Added another block and has piled up 9 of the team's 24 rejections on the season.
Davis-Fleming has tallied a block in all five games for State.
Brandon Walker tucked away a team-leading eight points and made all three of his shot attempts. He also added three rebounds.
Amier Ali came away with a team-leading and a season-high eight rebounds.
Ali, King Grace and Ja'Borri McGhee rounded out the scoring for State with two points each.

Postgame Notes: State vs. New Mexico

Players Mentioned

Achor Achor

Amier Ali

Quincy Ballard

Jamarion Davis-Fleming

Jayden Epps

King Grace

Josh Hubbard

Shawn Jones Jr.

Ja’Borri McGhee

Brandon Walker

Mississippi State University Athletics

Postgame Notes: State vs. New Mexico

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Players Mentioned

Achor Achor

Amier Ali

Quincy Ballard

Jamarion Davis-Fleming

Jayden Epps

King Grace

Josh Hubbard

Shawn Jones Jr.

Ja’Borri McGhee

Brandon Walker

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