Postgame Notes: State vs. SMU

TEAM NOTES

Mississippi State was unable to close out SMU during an SEC-ACC matchup as the Mustangs rallied from a nine-point deficit to snatch an 87-81 overtime decision on Friday evening at Humphrey Coliseum.
State took a 61-52 lead at the 8:55 mark of the second half following a trio of Josh Hubbard free throws.
However, the Mustangs fired back with 22 of the stanza's last 35 points to force overtime.
SMU carried that momentum into the extra session and scored eight of the first 10 points to build an 82-76 edge.
The Bulldogs drew back to within one possession, 82-79 inside the final minute, on a Ja'Borri McGhee three-pointer.
SMU hit 3-of-4 at the foul line inside the last 28 seconds to salt away the six-point win.
A key to the Mustangs victory was 14 offensive rebounds which resulted into a 22-11 advantage in second-chance points.
Boopie Miller amassed 17 of his game-leading 28 points, while Jaron Pierre Jr. registered 16 of his 24 points during the second half and overtime for SMU.
The Mustangs controlled the battle of the boards, 50-40, to drop State to 1-3 when being outrebounded by its opponent.
State and SMU split their home-and-home series with each team winning on each other's home floor during the last two seasons.
The Bulldogs dropped to 22-6 under Coach Jans in November.
State moved to 38-7 versus non-SEC opponents during the regular season under Coach Jans.
The Maroon and White fell to 6-4 in overtime games under Coach Jans.
Overall, Coach Jans has posted a 10-5 mark in OT contests in his 10 seasons as a NCAA Division I head coach.
The Bulldogs had their 11-game non-conference home winning streak come to a close.
The Maroon and White fell to 11-5 in regular season contest against fellow major conference squads (ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, former Pac-12).
State has scored 70+ points in all seven games this season and are 48-20 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when reaching the 70-plus point plateau.
State had four players secure double figures for the second time this season: Jayden Epps (21 points), Ja'Borri McGhee (17 points), Josh Hubbard (16 points) and Quincy Ballard (12 points).
The Bulldogs have dialed up a 26-13 mark over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when accomplishing that feat.
The Maroon and White recorded nine of the game's 12 steals on the defensive end.
State knocked down 27-of-70 from the floor (38.6 percent), drained 8-of-28 from three-point territory (28.6 percent) and hit on a 19-of-25 clip at the free throw line (76.0 percent).
It marked the first time that the Bulldogs were held to under a 40 percent shooting clip on the season.
Conversely, SMU recorded a 32-of-72 shooting effort (44.4 percent), connected on a 8-of-27 clip on its three-pointers (29.6 percent) and tallied a 15-for-23 mark at the charity stripe (65.2 percent).

PLAYER NOTES

Josh Hubbard

Started his 57th consecutive game over the past three seasons.
Notched 10+ points in 70 of 76 career games fueled by 26 straight games (01/11/2025-11/28/2025) and 49 of his last 50 outings (02/24/2024-11/28/2025).
The 16 points bring Hubbard's career total to 1,403 points which enabled him tie Jarvis Varnado (2007-08-09-10) for 18th place on the program's all-time scoring list.
Hit a three-pointer in a school-record 54 consecutive games (02/07/2024-11/28/2025).
The one triple allowed Hubbard to pass Dee Bost (2009-10-11-12) for sole possession of 4th place in program history with 238 trifectas for his career.
Delivered multiple assists in all seven games this season and in 55 of his 76 career outings.
Shot a perfect 5-5 from the free throw line.

Jayden Epps

Reappeared in State's starting five after he missed the New Orleans game due to injury.
Made his 64th start in his 92nd career game between State, Illinois and Georgetown.
Poured in a season's best tying 21 points where he was 8-of-17 from the field and 3-of-6 from beyond the three-point line.
Provided 15 of his team-leading 21 points during the first half.
Tallied his fourth straight game (11/15/2025-11/28/2025) in double figures this season and for the 65th time in his career.
Recorded 20+ points in two games this season and in 20 career appearances.
The eight field goals made also equaled a season-high for Epps.
Drained multiple three's for the third time this season and for the 45th time in his career.
Swiped a season-high four steals on the defensive end.
First time with multiple steals in the Maroon and White and the 24th occasion in his career.
Chipped in three assists making it back-to-back games with multiple assists for State and has garnered 2+ assists on 56 career occasions.
Opened up the scoring for the Bulldogs with a floater in the lane.

Ja'Borri McGhee

Started in 41 of 43 games over the last two seasons between State and UAB.
Provided a season's best 17 points on a 6-for-12 shooting clip and a 3-for-7 mark from three-point distance.
Recorded 10+ points in three games this season and in 24 career games.
State and UAB have posted a combined 17-7 record when McGhee scores 10+ points over the last two seasons.
Canned multiple treys for the fourth time this season and for the 10th time in his career.
His six field goals and three triples were season-highs.

Achor Achor

Started in all seven games for State this season and for the 41st time in his career at the NCAA Division I level.
Compiled five points, a season's best 12 rebounds, three steals and two assists.
His first game at State and his 6th career outing with double-digit rebounds.
The three steals for Achor matched a career-high.
His first time at State and the 12th career occasion with 2+ steals.
His first game at State and the 16th time in his career with multiple assists.

Quincy Ballard

Started his 74th consecutive game between Wichita State and Mississippi State over the last three seasons.
Scored a season-high 12 points where he hit on 4-of-8 from the floor and all four of his free throw attempts.
Posted 10+ points for the 3rd time this season and in 34 career games.
Produced 33 of his 34 games with double-digit points over the last three seasons.
Hauled down 10 rebounds to collect his first double-double at State.
Ballard has come away with 11 of his 13 career double-doubles over the last two seasons.
Secured a block in five consecutive games for State and in 59 of his last 74 appearances over the last three seasons.

Bench

Mississippi State's bench was limited to a season-low 10 points.
Shawn Jones Jr. registered six points, seven rebounds and two assists.
Jones Jr. has grabbed at least five rebounds in six of seven games this season and for the 16th time in his career.
Jones Jr. has tallied multiple assists in four games this season and on 22 occasions during his career.
Brandon Walker provided four points and two rebounds to round out the scoring for the Maroon and White.

Players Mentioned

Achor Achor

Quincy Ballard

Jayden Epps

Josh Hubbard

Shawn Jones Jr.

Ja’Borri McGhee

Brandon Walker

Mississippi State University Athletics

Postgame Notes: State vs. SMU

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Players Mentioned

Achor Achor

Quincy Ballard

Jayden Epps

Josh Hubbard

Shawn Jones Jr.

Ja’Borri McGhee

Brandon Walker

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