Postgame Notes: State vs. Long Island

TEAM NOTES

Mississippi State made it back-to-back wins and improved to 6-5 after an 87-83 victory over Long Island on Tuesday evening at Humphrey Coliseum.
The Bulldogs built a 17-8 advantage over the opening 6:42 of the contest as Shawn Jones Jr. connected with Josh Hubbard for a three-pointer.
Long Island pulled within 39-38 at halftime courtesy of Malachi Davis' 12 points in the opening half.
The second 20 minutes featured seven ties and 10 lead changes.
Trailing 76-71 at the 4:40 mark, State used a strong finishing kick for the second straight game as the Bulldogs tallied 16 of the game's final 23 points.
Jayden Epps and Josh Hubbard brought the Maroon and White to finish line with a combined 13 points down the stretch.
Hubbard ignited the run with seven consecutive points, while Epps put State up for good, 80-79, on a pair of free throws with 2:42 remaining.
State has won both meetings over the Sharks and improved to 4-0 all-time against the Northeast Conference.

The Bulldogs moved to 3-1 this season and to 18-4 all-time under Coach Jans during the month of December.
State moves to 41-8 versus non-SEC opponents in the regular season under Coach Jans.
State is 4-1 this season and 37-14 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans at Humphrey Coliseum. The Bulldogs have won 22 of their 24 non-conference home decisions with Coach Jans at the helm.
State is 5-2 this season and 22-8 under Coach Jans when scoring 80 or more points.
The Bulldogs are 6-3 this season and 62-21 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when shooting 40% or higher.
State outrebounded the Sharks 40-33. The Bulldogs are 4-1 this season and 52-16 under Coach Jans when outrebounding its opponent.
State is 4-1 this season and 53-8 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when leading at the half.
The Bulldogs are 1-0 this season and 11-2 under Coach Jans when making 20+ free throws.
State is 2-1 this season and 5-3 under Coach Jans when two players score 20 or more points.
State outscored Long Island 32-28 in the paint. The Bulldogs are 5-2 this season when outscoring their opponents in the paint.
State knocked down 28-of-60 from the floor (46.7 percent), drained 8-of-20 from three-point territory (40.0 percent) and hit on a 23-of-30 clip at the free throw line (76.7 percent).
The 23 made free throws were a season's best for the Maroon and White.
Conversely, Long Island recorded a 32-of-68 shooting effort (47.1 percent), connected on a 11-of-30 clip on its three-pointers (36.7 percent) and tallied an 8-for-11 mark at the charity stripe (72.7 percent).

PLAYER NOTES

Josh Hubbard

Started his 61st consecutive game over the past three seasons (01/27/2024-12/16/2025).
Fueled the Bulldogs in scoring with a season-high 34 points where he shot 11-for-23 from the field, 6-of-13 from three and a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line.
His 34 points equaled his 2nd highest scoring performance in his career and marked his 5th career game with 30+ points.
Secured double figures for the 10th time in 11 games this season and for the 73rd game in his career.
Hubbard's 34 points helped him surpass Charles Rhodes (2005-06-07-08), Cameron Burns (1989-90-91) and Ravern Johnson (2008-09-10-11) to claim sole possession of 15th place on State's all-time scoring list with 1,478 points.
The junior guard enters Saturday's game with Memphis 14 points shy from passing Tony Watts (1989-90-91-92) for 14th place.
Passed Tang Hamilton (1998-99-2000-01) to claim 19th place with 73 career games providing double-digit points.
Sank multiple three's for the seventh time this season and in 66 of 80 career outings.
The 3rd time this season and the 17th occasion that he's drained 5+ triples.
Hubbard's 11 field goals made and six three-pointers tied his season's best.
Added four assists and two rebounds
Dished out multiple assists for the 10th time this season and 58th time in his career.

Jayden Epps

Made his 68th start in his 96th career game between State, Illinois and Georgetown.
Scored 20 points where he connected on 6-of-13 of his field goals, 1-for-5 from beyond the three-point line and 7-of-7 at the charity stripe.
Amassed 20+ points in his 3rd consecutive outing, the 5th time this season and for the 23rd time in his career.
Secured his eighth consecutive game this season and his 70th career game with 10+ points.
His seven made free throws marked a season-high.
Provided four rebounds and an assist.

Shawn Jones Jr.

Started his ninth time in 11 games this season and his 22nd career outing.
Filled the box score with six points, two rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal.
Chipped in multiple blocks in two games and for the 11th time in his career.
Dished out multiple assists for the 7th time this season and the 25th occasion in his career.

Quincy Ballard

Started in his 9th game this season and for the 76th time in his last 78 outings over the last three seasons.
Nearly compiled a double-double with eight points and 10 rebounds.
Opened scoring for the Bulldogs on an alley-oop two-handed jam assisted by Josh Hubbard.
Grabbed 10+ rebounds for the 2nd time this season and the 23rd time in his career.
His team-leading 10 rebounds also matched his season-high.
Secured a block in eight of his nine last games at State and in 62 of 78 games in the last three seasons.

Achor Achor

Started in his eighth game for State and for the 42nd time at the NCAA Division I level.
Tacked on four points and four rebounds.

Bench

Sergej Macura led the bench in scoring with a season-high 12 points where he made 5-of-6 from the field.
The five made field goals and one three pointer both marked season's bests.
Swiped multiple steals in consecutive games and for the 3rd game this season.
Macura's seven rebounds marked the 5th time this season where he has amassed 5+ rebounds.
Brandon Walker and Ja'Borri McGhee rounded out the scoring with a combined three points and three rebounds.

Postgame Notes: State vs. Long Island

Players Mentioned

Achor Achor

Quincy Ballard

Jayden Epps

Josh Hubbard

Shawn Jones Jr.

Sergej Macura

Ja’Borri McGhee

Brandon Walker

Mississippi State University Athletics

Postgame Notes: State vs. Long Island

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Players Mentioned

Achor Achor

Quincy Ballard

Jayden Epps

Josh Hubbard

Shawn Jones Jr.

Sergej Macura

Ja’Borri McGhee

Brandon Walker

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