Postgame Notes: State at Texas

TEAM NOTES

Mississippi State has won five consecutive games and six of its last seven outings as the Bulldogs outlasted Texas with a 101-98 overtime victory on Saturday evening at the Moody Center during the SEC opener for both teams.
The Bulldogs overcame a second-half deficit to win for the 6th time this season. It marked the fourth time during the team's five-game winning streak.
State erased an 86-79 hole with 2:17 remaining and ripped off the last seven points in regulation to force the extra session.
Achor Achor kickstarted the rally with a pair of free throws followed by Josh Hubbard trey and a Brandon Walker putback layup with 17 seconds left to knot the score at 86-86.
The Bulldogs kept the momentum to open the extra session and capped a 17-5 spurt as Jayden Epps connected with Shawn Jones Jr. for a transition layup with 2:38 to go in OT.
Texas drew even at 96-96 with 51 seconds on the overtime clock as Tramon Mark scored five consecutive points for the Longhorns.
State had the final answer as Hubbard canned a deep three-pointer at the top of the key. After Texas split a pair of free throws, Hubbard salted the game away with a pair of free throws in the final seconds.
The Bulldogs built a 48-43 halftime lead on the strength of 31 combined points courtesy of Hubbard and Ebbs. Hubbard piled up 20 points which was the most by a State player in the first half this season.
State is 7-1 this season and 56-8 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when leading at the half.
The Bulldogs won back-to-back SEC openers under Coach Jans and improved to 49-44 all-time in its SEC opening act.
The last time State won its SEC road opener was in 2020-21 which was an 83-73 win at Georgia.
The victory enabled the Maroon and White to snap a five-game losing streak to Texas and pulled the all-time series to within 6-4.
Both meetings between State and Texas as SEC rivals have gone to overtime with each team winning on each other's home floor.
State is 2-1 this season and 7-4 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans in overtime games. Overall, Coach Jans has notched a 11-5 mark during overtime games over his 10-year coaching career.
State amassed a season's best 101 points and has won 35 consecutive games dating back to the 1975-76 season when eclipsing the century mark.
The last time the Bulldogs scored 100+ points during a SEC game was a 105-91 win over Auburn on March 2, 2004.
Additional keys to the State win were a 47-39 rebounding edge highlighted by a season-high tying 19 of the game's 31 rebounds on the offensive end.
State is 6-1 this season and 54-16 under Coach Jans when outrebounding its opponent. The Bulldogs are also 7-2 this season and 39-12 under Coach Jans when grabbing 40+ rebounds.
State edged out the Longhorns by a 21-17 margin in second-chance points. The 21 points on second chance opportunities were a season's best for the Bulldogs.
State worked its way to a 40-36 advantage in paint points. The Bulldogs have won all five decisions when scoring at least 40 points in the paint.
State is 3-1 this season and 6-3 under Coach Jans when two players score 20 or more points. Three of the four times have been achieved by Hubbard and Epps this season.
State's defense accounted for six of the games seven blocks.
State sank 34-of-76 from the floor (44.7 percent), hit on 10-of-33 from three-point territory (30.3 percent) and sank 23-of-31 at the free throw line (74.2 percent).
State is 9-3 this season and 65-21 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when shooting 40.0 percent or higher.
The Bulldogs are 4-1 this season and 16-7 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when knocking down 10 or more three-pointers during a game.
State is 2-0 this season and 11-2 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when making 20+ free throws.
Conversely, Texas recorded a 31-of-65 shooting effort (47.7 percent), misfired on 18 of its 25 three-pointers (28.0 percent) and tallied an 29-for-40 mark at the charity stripe (72.5 percent).

PLAYER NOTES

Josh Hubbard

Started his 64th consecutive game over the past three seasons (01/27/2024-01/03/2026) where he has led State in scoring during 43 of those 64 outings.
Opened up the scoring for the Bulldogs by draining a free throw before scoring State's first seven points and a season's best 20 points in the opening half.
Poured in career-high tying 38 points where he shot 10-for-31 from the field, 6-for-17 from three-point territory and a 12-for-15 clip from the free throw line.
Secured double figures for the 13th time this season, the 32nd time over his last 33 outings (01/11/2025-01/03/2026) and for the 76th time in 83 career games.
Marked the 2nd time this season and the 6th time in his career where Hubbard has eclipsed 30+ points.
Tallied 19 of his 36 career games of 20+ points and five of six career efforts of 30+ points versus SEC opponents.
The 38 points enabled Hubbard to surpass Tolu Smith III (2021-22-23-24) to claim 11th place on State's all-time scoring list. His career total is 1,555 points.
The junior guard enters Wednesday's matchup with Oklahoma four points shy from passing Jamont Gordon (2006-07-08) for 10th place.
Passed Jerry Jenkins (1973-74-75) in addition to tying Charles Rhodes (2005-06-07-08) for 14th place with 76 games in double figures.
Drained a season-high tying 6 triples which marked his 4th game this season and 18th career outing making 5+ treys.
Hubbard moved past Darryl Wilson (1994-95-96) and into a second-place tie with Ravern Johnson (2008-09-10-11) on State's all-time list.
Extended his school-record to 61 consecutive games (02/07/2024-01/03/2026) with at least one three-pointer.
Sank multiple three's for the 10th time this season and in 69 of 83 career outings.
Made 10+ field goals for the 3rd time this season and 7th time in his career.
Connected on a career-best 12 free throws which marked his 2nd game this season and 6th career outing making 10+ at the charity stripe.
Dished out multiple assists for the 13th time this season and the 61st time in his career.

Jayden Epps

Made his 71st start in his 99th career game between State, Illinois and Georgetown.
Exploded for a season's best 27 points where he shot 9-of-21 from the field, 3-of-12 from beyond the three-point line and 6-of-7 from the charity stripe.
Notched his 2nd game this season and his 12th career outings with at least 15+ points and 5+ assists.
Pumped home 20+ points for the 6th time over his last 9 appearances (11/21-01/03) and for the 24th time in his career.
Provided double figures in 10 of his last 11 games (11/15-01/03) at State and for the 72nd time in his career.
Dialed up multiple three-pointers in seven of his last 10 appearances (11/20-01/03) and for the 49th time in his career.
Dished out 5+ assists for the 2nd time this season and the 16th time in his career.

Shawn Jones Jr.

Reappeared in State's starting five for the 11th time in 14 games this season and for the 24th time of his career.
Chipped in four points, four rebounds and three steals.
Swiped multiple steals for the 8th time this season and the 27th time in his career.

Sergej Macura

Stayed in State's starting five for the 3rd consecutive game.
Turned in a strong effort with seven points and six rebounds.
Recorded a team-leading +18 mark in the plus/minus ratio when on the floor.
Posted 7.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per contest over his last 6 games (12/07-01/03).
Grabbed five or more rebounds for the 7th time this season.

Quincy Ballard

Started in his 12th game this season and for the 79th time in his last 81 outings over the last three seasons between Mississippi State and Wichita State.
Collected two points, four rebounds and a pair of blocks.
Secured a block in 10 of his last 12 games for State and in 64 of his last 81 outings over the last three seasons.
Swatted multiple rejections for the 5th time this season and the 50th time in his career.

BENCH

State's bench garnered a 23-16 advantage as Achor Achor, Ja'Borri McGhee and Brandon Walker did the heavy lifting.
The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents in bench points during 9 of 14 games and posted a 7-2 mark when accomplishing the feat this season.
Achor grinded his way to his first double-double in Maroon and White with 10 points, 13 rebounds and a season's best three blocks. It marked his 5th career double-double.
Hit on 3-of-5 from the floor and 4-of-5 from the free throw line.
Grabbed 10+ rebounds for the 2nd time this season and 7th time in his career.
Fueled the Bulldogs on the glass for the 5th time this season which ties him with Ballard for the team lead.
His 3rd game this season and his 29th career game with multiple rejections.
Ja'Borri McGhee turned in seven points and two assists.
Dished out multiple assists for the fifth time this season and 31st time in his career.
Brandon Walker rounded out the scoring with six points and two rebounds during the second half and overtime.
Jamarion Davis-Fleming wrapped the bench contributions with four rebounds and a block.
Recorded a rejection during 9 of 14 games this season.

Postgame Notes: State at Texas

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 Texas

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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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