Postgame Notes: State vs. No. 15 Vanderbilt

Photo by: Mike Mattina/MSU Athletics

January 24, 2026 | Men's Basketball

TEAM NOTES

Mississippi State dropped an 88-56 decision to Vanderbilt on Saturday morning at Humphrey Coliseum.
State is 7-4 this season and 40-17 under Coach Jans at Humphrey Coliseum.
State is 2-2 this season and 29-14 under Coach Jans during day games.
The Bulldogs had their two-game winning streak against Vanderbilt come to a close. Overall, the Commodores hold an 82-55 all-time series advantage.
State sank 20-of-58 from the floor (34.5 percent), hit on 5-of-26 from three-point territory (19.2 percent) and connected on 11-of-17 at the free throw line (64.7 percent).
State falls to 5-5 this season and to 45-18 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when making more free throws than its opponent.
Conversely, Vanderbilt recorded a 35-of-65 shooting effort (53.8 percent), made 8-of-25 on its three-pointers (32.0 percent) and tallied a 10-for-11 mark at the charity stripe (90.9 percent).
Keys to the Commodores victory included a 50-22 advantage in paint points, a 28-10 edge in points off turnovers. Vandy also scored 23 of the game's 34 points on fastbreak chances.

PLAYER NOTES

Josh Hubbard

Started his 70th consecutive game over the past three seasons (01/27/2024-01/24/2026).
Provided 7 points and a season-high tying 3 steals.
Marked just the 8th time in 88 career games where Hubbard was unable to reach double digit points.
The junior guard now has 1661 career points and sits 178 points behind Rickey Brown (1976-77-78-79) for 5th place.
Extended his school-record to 67 consecutive games (02/07/2024-01/24/2026) with at least one three-pointer.
The 67-game run eclipsed Marshall Henderson of Ole Miss for the SEC record for consecutive games with a three-pointer made.
Hubbard has now drained 271 career three-pointers and now sits 9 triples away from passing Barry Stewart for the program's all-time record.
Swiped multiple steals for the 9th time this season and the 22nd time in his career.

Ja'Borri McGhee

Started for the 8th time this season and for the 45th time in 57 career outings over the last two seasons between State and UAB.
Secured 2 points and 1 assist.

Shawn Jones Jr.

Appeared in State's starting five for the 17th time in 20 games this season and for the 28th time of his career.
Added 2 points and 1 rebound.

Achor Achor

Started in his 15th game this season and for the 49th time at the Division I level between Samford, Kansas State and Mississippi State.
Notched 3 points and 4 rebounds.

Jamarion Davis-Fleming

Started in back-to-back games and for the 5th time this season.
Came away with 3 points, a team-leading tying 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.
Recorded five-plus rebounds for the 9th time this season.
Paced the Bulldogs in rebounding for the 2nd time this season.
Blocked multiple shots for the 8th time this season.
Dished out multiple assists for the 4th time this season.

BENCH

State outscored the Commodores by a 39-19 margin in bench points.
The Bulldogs scored more bench points than their opponent for the 13th time this season where State has secured an 8-5 mark
Jayden Epps paced the team in scoring with 14 points where he shot 5-of-11 from the field, 2-of-7 from beyond the three-point line and a 2-of-4 from the free throw line.
Scored 10+ points for the 15th time this season and the 77th time in his career.
Pumped home double figures in 15 of his last 17 outings (11/15-01/24).
Sank multiple three-pointers during 10 of his last 16 games at State and canned multiple three's in 52 career games.
Sergej Macura nearly secured his first career double-double with 8 points and shared the team lead with 8 rebounds.
Grabbed 5+ rebounds for the 10th time this season.
King Grace tallied all 8 of his points on 3-of-5 shooting during the 2nd half.
Quincy Ballard, Brandon Walker and Dellquan Warren rounded out the scoring with 2 points apiece for the Maroon and White.
Ballard swatted multiple shots for the 8th time this season and the 53rd time in his career.
Warren provided multiple assists for the 4th time this season and the 13th time in his career.