Postgame Notes: State vs. No. 18 Alabama

TEAM NOTES

Mississippi State was handed its second straight loss, a 97-82 decision by No. 18 Alabama, on Tuesday evening at Humphrey Coliseum.
The Bulldogs fired out to a 29-15 advantage with 8:13 remaining in the first half after Achor Achor and Jayden Epps hit consecutive three-pointers 60 seconds apart.
Alabama responded to close the half on a 21-5 spurt to take a 36-34 advantage at the half.
The Crimson Tide amassed 61 points as Labaron Philon Jr. scored 20 of his game-leading 32 points during the second half.
State has dropped nine straight decisions to the Crimson Tide. Alabama has been a ranked squad during eight of those nine matchups.
State is 10-5 this season and 55-21 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when scoring 70 or more points.
Alabama won the battle of the boards by a 47-43 advantage as the Bulldogs fell to 3-6 this season when they get outrebounded.
State sank 28-of-76 from the floor (36.8 percent), hit on 9-of-28 from three-point territory (32.1 percent) and connected on 17-of-25 at the free throw line (68.0 percent).
State falls to 8-3 this season and 42-15 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when making 15 or more free throws.
Conversely, Alabama recorded a 29-of-66 shooting effort (43.9 percent), made 12-of-34 on its three-pointers (35.3 percent) and tallied a 27-for-33 mark at the charity stripe (81.8 percent).

PLAYER NOTES

Josh Hubbard

Started his 67th consecutive game over the past three seasons (01/27/2024-01/13/2026) where he has led State in scoring during 46 of those 67 outings.
Poured in a team-leading 23 points where he shot 6-for-16 from the field, 3-for-10 from three-point territory and hit 8-for-10 from the free throw line.
Secured double figures for the 16th time this season, the 35th time over his last 36 outings (01/11/2025-01/13/2026) and for the 79th time in 86 career games.
Tallied 22 of his 39 career games of 20+ points against SEC opponents.
The 23 points enabled Hubbard to surpass Darryl Wilson (1994-95-96) to claim 8th place on State's all-time scoring list. His career total is 1,628 points.
The junior guard enters Saturday's matchup with Ole Miss 13 points shy from passing Dee Bost (2009-10-11-12) for 7th place.
Extended his school-record to 64 consecutive games (02/07/2024-01/13/2026) with at least one three-pointer.
Sank multiple treys in 71 of 86 career games.
Hubbard now sits 15 triples away from Barry Stewart's all-time program record.
Dished out multiple assists for the 16th time this season and the 64th time in his career.

Jayden Epps

Made his 74th start in his 102nd career game between State, Illinois and Georgetown.
Provided 13 points where he connected on 5-of-15 from the floor, 2-of-7 from beyond the three-point line and sank his lone foul shot.
Tallied double figures in 12 of his last 14 games at State (11/05-01/13) and for the 74th time in his career.
Dished out multiple assists for the 6th time this season and 59th time in his career.

Shawn Jones Jr.

Appeared in State's starting five for the 14th time in 17 games this season and for the 27th time of his career.
Opened up scoring for the Bulldogs with a three-pointer.
Provided 8 points, 4 rebounds and a steal.
The steal moved Jones Jr. to within two of 100 for his career. He would become the 32nd player in program history to accomplish the feat.

Achor Achor

Started in his 12th game this season and for the 46th time at the Division I level between Samford, Kansas State and Mississippi State.
Provided eight points, five rebounds, an assist and two blocks.
Collected 5+ rebounds in 12 of 17 games this season and for the 45th time in his career.
Swatted multiple shots for the 4th time this season and 30th time in his career.

Quincy Ballard

Started 15 of 17 games this season and for the 82nd time over his last 84 outings over the last three seasons between Mississippi State and Wichita State.
Grabbed a new career-high of 17 rebounds coupled with 6 points and 2 blocks.
The 17 rebounds are the most by a State player under Coach Jans.
Led the Bulldogs in rebounding for the 6th time this season as State dropped to 5-1 when Ballard leads the team in rebounding.
Grabbed 10+ rebounds for the 4th time this season and 25th time in his career.
Swatted multiple shots for the 7th time this season and the 52nd time in his career.
Secured a block in 13 of his last 15 games for State and in 67 of his last 84 outings over the last three seasons.

BENCH

State outscored the Crimson Tide by a 24-12 margin in bench points.
The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents in bench points during 11 of 17 games and have posted an 8-3 mark when accomplishing the feat this season.
Sergej Macura came away with 7 points and 2 rebounds.
The 7 points tied Macura's season's best in a SEC game.
Ja'Borri McGhee added six points, three rebounds and two assists.
Dished out multiple assists for the 7th time this season and 33rd time in his career.
Jamarion Davis-Fleming came away with 3 points, 3 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Swatted multiple shots for 2nd time in the last three games and for the 6th time this season.
Amier Ali added 5 points followed by King Grace who rounded out the scoring with 2 points and a season-high 2 steals.

Mississippi State University Athletics