Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Postgame Notes: State vs. SMU
November 28, 2025 | Men's Basketball
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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