Postgame Notes: State at Kentucky

TEAM NOTES

Mississippi State had its six-game winning streak come to a close as Kentucky emerged with a 92-68 decision on Saturday evening at Rupp Arena.
The Bulldogs started quickly by hitting on 12-of-15 from the field to build a 28-17 advantage with 11:02 remaining.
Kentucky responded with a 16-4 spurt and took a 33-32 lead of its own at the 6:52 mark. The Wildcats would go up 44-39 at halftime.
State would stay within single digits for the majority of the second half, but Kentucky would rip off 23 of the contest's 29 points over the last 7:30 to claim the 22-point decision.
The Wildcats have won the last 20 regular season meetings in the series dating back to the 2008-09 season and possess a 105-21 series advantage.
Keys to the Kentucky victory were a 27-10 advantage in points off turnovers, a 22-9 edge in second-chance opportunities and scoring 19 of the game's 25 points on fastbreak chances.
State dropped to 0-2 this season and to 18-16 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when being held to under 70 points.
State fell to 10-4 this season and 66-22 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when shooting 40.0 percent or higher.
Kentucky won the battle of the boards by a 36-28 advantage on the strength of a 14-9 edge on offensive rebounds.
State dropped to 3-5 this season and to 14-28 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when the opponent wins the rebounding battle.
State sank 27-of-56 from the floor (48.2 percent), hit on 3-of-20 from three-point territory (15.0 percent) and connected on 11-of-14 at the free throw line (78.6 percent).
State moved to 5-3 this season and 45-16 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when making more free throws than its opponent.
Conversely, Kentucky recorded a 37-of-67 shooting effort (55.2 percent), made 9 of its 22 three-pointers (40.9 percent) and tallied a 9-for-14 mark at the charity stripe (64.3 percent).

PLAYER NOTES

Josh Hubbard

Started his 66th consecutive game over the past three seasons (01/27/2024-01/10/2026) where he has led State in scoring during 45 of those 66 outings.
Poured in a team-leading 20 points where he shot 7-for-16 from the field, 2-for-8 from three-point territory and hit all four of his attempts from the free throw line.
Secured double figures for the 15th time this season, the 34th time over his last 35 outings (01/11/2025-01/10/2026) and for the 78th time in 85 career games.
Tallied 21 of his 38 career games of 20+ points against SEC opponents.
The 20 points enabled Hubbard to surpass Barry Stewart (2007-08-09-10) to claim 9th place on State's all-time scoring list. His career total is 1,605 points.
The junior guard enters Tuesday's matchup with Alabama 15 points shy from passing Darryl Wilson (1994-95-96) for 8th place.
Extended his school-record to 63 consecutive games (02/07/2024-01/10/2026) with at least one three-pointer.
Sank multiple treys in 70 of 85 career games.
Hubbard now sits 18 triples away from Barry Stewart's all-time program record.
Dished out 5+ assists for the 5th time this season and the 15th time in his career.
State dropped to 8-4 when Hubbard secures at least 15+ points and 5+ assists.
Swiped multiple steals for the 7th time this season and the 20th time in his career.

Jayden Epps

Made his 73rd start in his 101st career game between State, Illinois and Georgetown.
Provided 13 points where he connected on 4-of-12 from the floor, 1-of-7 from beyond the three-point line and sank all four of his foul shots.
Tallied double figures in 11 of his last 13 games at State (11/05-01/10) and for the 73rd time in his career.
Set a new season's best and equaled his career-high with six rebounds.

Shawn Jones Jr.

Appeared in State's starting five for the 13th time in 16 games this season and for the 26th time of his career.
Opened up scoring for the Bulldogs a floater in the lane off glass.
Chipped in two points, two assists and a block.
Dished out multiple assists for the 9th time this season and 27th time this career.

Achor Achor

Started in his 11th game this season and for the 45th time at the Division I level between Samford, Kansas State and Mississippi State.
Scored 10 of his season-high 13 points during the first half and hauled down a team-leading 11 rebounds to claim his second double-double over State's last three games.
Recorded his 3rd game this season and his 37th career game with 10+ points
State is 2-1 this season and teams that Achor are apart of are 30-7 when he scores in double figures.
Grabbed 10+ rebounds for the third consecutive game, for the 4th time this season and for the 9th time in his career.
State is 1-1 this season and teams that Achor are apart of are 4-2 when he compiles a double-double.
Paced the Bulldogs in rebounding for a team-leading 7th time this season.
Swiped multiple steals for the 2nd time this season and 13th time in his career.

Quincy Ballard

Started 14 of 16 games this season and for the 81st time over his last 83 outings over the last three seasons between Mississippi State and Wichita State.
Turned in a solid all-around effort with 6 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks.
Swatted multiple shots for the 6th time this season and the 51st time in his career.
Secured a block in 12 of his last 14 games for State and in 66 of his last 83 outings over the last three seasons.
Came away with at least 5+ rebounds in 13 of 16 game this season and for the 67th time in his career.
Dished out multiple assists for the 1st time this season and the 7th time in his career.

BENCH

State's bench was outscored by a 35-14 margin which marked just the 6th time in 16 games that the Bulldogs scored fewer bench points than their opponent.
Ja'Borri McGhee tallied 6 points and a pair of assists.
Delivered multiple assists for the 6th time this season and the 32nd time in his career.
Jamarion Davis-Fleming and Brandon Walker rounded out the scoring for the Maroon and White with 4 points apiece.
Davis-Fleming has recorded at least one block in 11 of 16 games this season.

Postgame Notes: State at Kentucky

Players Mentioned

Achor Achor

Quincy Ballard

Jamarion Davis-Fleming

Jayden Epps

Josh Hubbard

Shawn Jones Jr.

Ja’Borri McGhee

Brandon Walker

Mississippi State University Athletics

Postgame Notes: State at Kentucky

Related News

Players Mentioned

Achor Achor

Quincy Ballard

Jamarion Davis-Fleming

Jayden Epps

Josh Hubbard

Shawn Jones Jr.

Ja’Borri McGhee

Brandon Walker

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