Posgame Notes: State vs. Utah

TEAM NOTES

Mississippi State wiped away a 17-point first half deficit to produce the largest comeback victory under Coach Jans, an 82-74 triumph, over Utah during a SEC-Big 12 matchup on Saturday evening at the Delta Center, home of the NBA's Utah Jazz.
State and Utah were meeting for the third time during the last four seasons on the hardwood under Coach Jans.
Overall, the Maroon and White have won all four meetings over the Utes.
Utah connected on 13 of its first 21 shot attempts to build a 40-23 lead with 2:47 left in the first half.
The Bulldogs countered with nine of the last 11 points of the opening stanza courtesy to draw within 42-32 at halftime.
State kept charging back and hit on six consecutive field goal attempts to fuel 13 consecutive points. The Bulldogs capped a 20-2 flurry on a Ja'Borri McGhee driving layup to snatch a 60-56 advantage at the 9:24 mark of the second half.
The Utes responded to regain a 70-67 edge with 4:46 to go before the Bulldogs delivered the last punch on the strength of 15 of the contest's last 19 points.
McGhee gave State the lead for a good on a three-pointer with 3:28 remaining and added another layup 52 seconds later to make it a two-possession game.
Josh Hubbard, Shawn Jones Jr. and Jayden Epps would salt away the 8-point victory for the Bulldogs over the last 89 seconds.
Hubbard drained a stepback midrange jumper, Jones Jr. provided an emphatic dunk cutting to the basket and Epps tacked on a pair of layups.
State's defense put the clamps on the Utes who were held without a field goal for the last 6:07 of the contest.
The Bulldogs won their second game this season when trailing at halftime.
Overall, State erased a halftime deficit to win for the 12th time under Coach Jans.
It marked the 32nd time that Coach Jans has won a game when trailing at the half in his 10 seasons as a NCAA Division I head coach.
The Bulldogs moved to 2-1 this season and to 17-4 all-time under Coach Jans during the month of December.
State moves to 40-8 versus non-SEC opponents in the regular season under Coach Jans.
The Bulldogs are 4-4 this season and 50-20 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when scoring 70 or more points.
State is 2-1 this season and 22-7 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when shooting 50 percent or better.
The Bulldogs also have posted a 5-1 mark this season and a 77-10 clip with Coach Jans at the helm when shooting a higher field goal percentage than their opponent.
State's defense accounted for 10 of the game's 16 steals.
State is 2-0 this season and 31-7 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when the Bulldogs amass 10 or more steals in a game.
State knocked down 33-of-65 from the floor (50.8 percent), drained 10-of-25 from three-point territory (40.0 percent) and hit on a 6-of-9 clip at the free throw line (66.7 percent).
The 33 made baskets were a season-high for the Bulldogs.
State is 2-1 this season and 14-7 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when knocking down at least 10 or more three-pointers in a game.
The Bulldogs amassed a season's best 46 points in the paint and outscored Utah by a 46-26 margin on the interior.
Conversely, Utah recorded a 24-of-53 shooting effort (45.3 percent), connected on a 8-of-23 clip on its three-pointers (34.8 percent) and tallied an 18-for-24 mark at the charity stripe (75.0 percent).

PLAYER NOTES

Josh Hubbard

Started in his 60th consecutive game over the past three seasons (01/27/2024-12/13/2025).
Chipped in 11 of his 13 points during the second half where he went 5-of-11 shooting.
Secured 10+ points for the 9th time in 2025-26 and for the 72nd time in 79 career games.
Also notched double figures in 28 of his last 29 outings (01/11/2025-12/13/2025) and in 51 of his last 53 games (02/24/2024-12/13/2025).
The 13 points bring Hubbard's career total to 1,444 career points. He enters the Long Island game eight points shy of passing Charles Rhodes (2005-06-07-08) for 17th place on State's all-time list.
Passed Jarvis Varnado (2007-08-09-10) and moved into a tie for 19th place with Tang Hamilton (1998-99-2000-01) with 72 career games in double figures.
Hit a three-pointer in a school-record 57 consecutive games (02/07/2024-12/13/2025).
Made 242 career triples and heads into the Long Island game 17 treys away from passing Darryl Wilson (1994-95-96) for 3rd place on State's all-time list.
Dished out multiple assists for the 9th time in 10 games this season and for the 57th time in his career.

Jayden Epps

Made his 67th start in his 95th career game between State, Illinois and Georgetown.
Provided 13 of his 20 points after halftime. Overall, he connected on 8-of-15 from the floor.
Tacked on four rebounds and two steals.
Tallied his 7th straight game in double figures this season (11/15/2025-12/13/2025) and reached 10+ points for the 69th time in his career.
His 4th effort of 20+ points over his last five outings and marked the 22nd time during his career that Epps surpassed the 20-point barrier.
Drained multiple three's during five of eight outings at State this season and for the 47th time in his career.
Opened the scoring for the Bulldogs with a driving floater.
Swiped multiple steals in two games this season and in 25 career games.

Shawn Jones Jr.

Started his eighth time in 10 games this season and his 21st career outing.
Came away with two points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Dished out multiple assists in six games this season and for the 24th time in his career.
Swiped multiple steals in five games this season and for the 24th time in his career.

Jamarion Davis-Fleming

Started in his third consecutive game for the Bulldogs.
Garnered two points, two rebounds and two assists.
Distributed multiple assists for the second time this season.

Quincy Ballard

Started in his eighth game this season and for the 75th time in his last 77 games over the last three seasons between Mississippi State and Wichita State.
Managed six points coupled with a team-leading seven rebounds and three blocks.
Collected 5+ rebounds in 9 of 10 games this season and in 63 career appearances.
The three blocks also equaled a season's best and brought his career total to 181.
Secured a block in 7 of his last 8 games at State and in 61 of 77 games over the last three seasons.
Swatted multiple shots for the third time this season and in 48 career outings.

Bench

State ripped off 39 of the game's 51 points off the bench as the Bulldogs have outscored their opponent in seven of 10 outings this season.
The 39 points off the bench was a season's best for State.
Ja'Borri McGhee exploded for 19 of his career-high 29 points where he dialed up a 7-of-9 shooting clip during the second half.
McGhee's previous career-high was a 27-point effort versus Florida Atlantic on March 6, 2025 while playing at UAB.
Overall, McGhee was 11-of-16 from the floor, 5-of-7 from three-point territory and converted on both of his free throw attempts.
The 11 field goals made and five triples also were career-highs for McGhee.
The 29 points for McGhee tied Josh Hubbard who also scored 29 points versus New Mexico for the most points scored by a State player this season.
Pumped home 10+ points in four of his last five outings (11/24/2025-12/13/2025) and five times this season.
His 26th career performance of 10+ points and the 6th time he eclipsed the 20-point mark.
State and UAB move to a combined 18-8 when McGhee reaches double figures.
Sergej Macura totaled four points, two rebounds and two steals.
Collected multiple steals for the second time this season.
King Grace and Brandon Walker rounded out the scoring with three points apiece for the Maroon and White.

Players Mentioned

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

Posgame Notes: State vs. Utah

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Players Mentioned

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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