Mississippi State
3-4,0-0SEC
SMU
8-0,0-0ACC
The Final Horn: SMU 87, State 81 [OT]
November 28, 2025 | Men's Basketball
THE BOTTOM LINE: Mississippi State fell just short in an 87-81 overtime defeat to SMU on Friday night at Humphrey Coliseum. After a tight first half that saw seven ties and three lead changes, State sparked momentum with two triples from Jayden Epps in the last couple minutes of the opening period to take a 43-39 lead into the locker room. In the second half, The Bulldogs' lead stretched to as much as nine at the 8:55 mark before the Mustangs went on a quick 7-0 run to bring the game back within two at 61-59 with 6:43 to play in regulation.
As the game reached the final stretch of regulation, SMU converted a 3-point play to cut the MSU lead to 71-70 with 2:09 remaining. After State's Achor Achor went 1-2 from the charity stripe, SMU made two free throws to tie the game at 72-72 with 0:53 to go. Jayden Epps then found Quincy Ballard for a slam to regain a 74-72 lead with 0:43 remaining, but SMU tied the game again with a bucket, forcing overtime.
In the extra period, the Mustangs took a six-point lead before Ja'Borri McGhee kept State alive with a 3-pointer at the 0:42 mark, cutting the SMU lead to 84-81. The Mustangs then iced the game with free throws.
KEY NUMBERS: Epps led State in scoring with 21 points, tying his season high. Ballard came away with a double-double in the effort, notching 12 points and a season-high 10 rebounds. Achor also led the team in rebounding with a season-best 12 of his own. As a team, the Bulldogs found success in the paint by scoring 36 to the Mustangs' 34 on the inside. State also turned defense into offense and led in transition points by a 16-11 margin in the effort, but it wasn't enough.
NEXT UP FOR THE DAWGS: Mississippi State will travel to Atlanta to face the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the ACC/SEC Challenge on Wednesday, Dec. 3. Tipoff is set for 8:15 p.m. and the game will be aired on ACC Network.
