Postgame Notes: State at Georgia Tech

TEAM NOTES

Mississippi State overcame an early seven-point deficit and worked its way to an 85-73 win over Georgia Tech during Wednesday's ACC/SEC Challenge matchup at McCamish Pavilion.
The Bulldogs carried a 37-28 lead into the locker room and scored the opening seven points of the second half to stretch their advantage to 16 points.
State maintained its double-digit lead for a majority of the second half before closing out the 12-point triumph.
The SEC won the challenge for the second consecutive season over the ACC. The Bulldogs tallied the clinching point as the SEC emerged with a 9-7 record.
State improved to 6-6 all-time in challenge games against the Big East, Big 12 and ACC. It also marked the Bulldogs first true road win in a challenge game.
The Maroon and White snapped a two-game losing streak to Georgia Tech, a former member of the SEC.
State improved to 14-17 all-time versus the Yellow Jackets.
The Bulldogs moved to 16-3 all-time under Coach Jans during the month of December.
State moved to 39-7 versus non-SEC opponents in the regular season under Coach Jans.
The Maroon and White moved to 12-5 in regular season contest against fellow major conference squads (ACC, Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, former Pac-12).
The Bulldogs have won 10 of those 12 decisions on the road or on a neutral floor.
State has scored 70+ points in all eight games this season and are 49-20 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when reaching the 70-plus point plateau.
The Bulldogs outrebounded Georgia Tech by a 47-42 margin. State moved to 3-1 this season and 51-16 under Coach Jans when winning the battle on the boards.
The Maroon and White is 4-1 this season and 36-11 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when grabbing 40+ rebounds.
State's defense accounted for nine of the game's 12 blocks.
The nine blocks were a season's best and matched the third-highest single game total for the Bulldogs under Coach Jans.
The Maroon and White outscored Georgia Tech by a 42-26 margin in the paint. The 42 paint points equaled a season-high for the Bulldogs.
State is 3-1 this season and 52-8 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when leading at the half.
State had four players secure double figures for the third time this season and for the third straight game: Josh Hubbard (25 points), Jayden Epps (14 points), Brandon Walker (11 points) and Jamarion Davis-Fleming (11 points).
The Bulldogs have dialed up a 27-13 mark over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when accomplishing that feat.
State knocked down 31-of-61 from the floor (50.8 percent), drained 6-of-22 from three-point territory (27.3 percent) and hit on a 17-of-22 clip at the free throw line (77.3 percent).
The Bulldogs have won 21 of 28 games over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when shooting 50 percent or better.
Conversely, Georgia Tech recorded a 26-of-77 shooting effort (33.8 percent), connected on a 8-of-30 clip on its three-pointers (26.7 percent) and tallied a 13-for-20 mark at the charity stripe (65.0 percent).
The Bulldogs move to 4-0 this season and to 42-5 all-time under Coach Jans when holding their opponent to under a 40.0 percent shooting.

PLAYER NOTES

Josh Hubbard

Started his 58th consecutive game over the past three seasons.
Led the Bulldogs with 25 points where he shot 8-of-14 from the floor and a perfect 7-of=7 from the free throw line.
Provided 21 of his 25 points in the second half.
The 21 second-half points for Hubbard matched a season's best which he also accomplished versus New Orleans (11/24).
Eclipsed 20+ points in six of eight outings this season and for the 33rd time in his career
Notched 10+ points in 71 of 77 career games fueled by 27 straight games (01/11/2025-12/03/2025) and 50 of his last 51 outings (02/24/2024-12/03/2025).
The 25 points bring Hubbard's career total to 1,428 points which enabled him pass Jarvis Varnado (2007-08-09-10) to claim 18th place on the program's all-time scoring list.
Hubbard enters the San Francisco game 24 points away from moving past Charles Rhodes (2005-06-07-08) on the program's scoring list.
Hit a three-pointer in a school-record 55 consecutive games (02/07/2024-12/3/2025).
Canned multiple three's in 65 of 77 career games.
Dished out five assists for the 4th time this season and for the 14th time in his career.
State is 10-4 when Hubbard hands out at least five assists.
Notched his fourth outing this season and his fourth career outing with at least 25 points and five assists.

Jayden Epps

Made his 65th start in his 93rd career game between State, Illinois and Georgetown.
Provided 14 points where he connected on 3-of-9 from the field and a 5-of-7 mark at the foul line.
Tallied his fifth straight game (11/15/2025-12/03/2025) in double figures this season and for the 66th time in his career.
Blocked multiple shots for the first time this season and third time in his career.

Ja'Borri McGhee

Started in 42 of 44 games over the last two seasons between State and UAB.
Chipped in four points and shared the team lead with a season-high seven rebounds.

Brandon Walker

Started for the first time at State and for the 76th time in his career.
Pumped home a season-high 11 points to go along with a team-leading seven rebounds and two assists. The seven rebounds also were a season-high.
The first time this season and his 45th career outing with 5+ rebounds.
His second game this season and 23rd career game with multiple assists.

Jamarion Davis-Fleming

Started for the first time in his college career.
Scored a career-high 11 points where he made all five of his field goal attempts and his lone free throw.
His five field goals marked a career-high.
Grabbed 5+ rebounds for the fourth time this season.
Recorded a blocked shot in seven of eight games this season.

Bench

State scored 20 of the game's 29 points off the bench.
Shawn Jones Jr. secured nine points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
His 7th game this season and 17th career outing with 5+ rebounds.
Provided multiple assists for the 5th time this season and 23rd time in his career.
Notched 2+ steals for the 4th time this season and 23rd career occasion.
Quincy Ballard provided eight points, seven rebounds and a trio of blocks.
His 7th outing this season and 61st of his career with 5+ rebounds.
The three blocks were a season's best.
His second game this season and 47th career game with multiple blocks.
Secured a blocked shot in six consecutive games this season and in 60 of his last 75 appearances over the last three seasons.
Had his run of 74 consecutive starts over the last three seasons come to a close.
Achor Achor rounded out the scoring with three points and three rebounds.
Sergej Macura returned to action with a pair of rebounds after he missed State's last three games due to injury.

Postgame Notes: State at Georgia Tech

Players Mentioned

Achor Achor

Quincy Ballard

Jamarion Davis-Fleming

Jayden Epps

Josh Hubbard

Shawn Jones Jr.

Sergej Macura

Ja’Borri McGhee

Brandon Walker

Mississippi State University Athletics

Postgame Notes: State at Georgia Tech

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Players Mentioned

Achor Achor

Quincy Ballard

Jamarion Davis-Fleming

Jayden Epps

Josh Hubbard

Shawn Jones Jr.

Sergej Macura

Ja’Borri McGhee

Brandon Walker

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