Postgame Notes: State vs. Memphis

TEAM NOTES

State has won three straight games and four of its last five outings as the Bulldogs headed into their holiday break and grinded out a 71-66 victory over Memphis on Saturday afternoon at Humphrey Coliseum.
The Maroon and White swept the home-and-home series from Memphis after losing four straight in the series. Overall, State pulled within 14-13 in the all-time series.
The Bulldogs fired out to a 14-4 lead over the contest's first 6:35 on a Jayden Epps layup.
State would take a 34-30 advantage into the locker room behind Epps' 12 points fueled by a trio of three-pointers.
The Bulldogs improved to 5-1 this season and 54-8 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when leading at the half.
Memphis would hang around and eventually take a 53-50 at the 8:12 mark as Curtis Givens III provided a traditional three-point play off a driving layup.
State would go up for good, 59-58, with 3:41 to go as Josh Hubbard hit a stepback midrange jumper on the right baseline.
Jamarion Davis-Fleming connected with Shawn Jones Jr. for a layup off a press breaker inside the final minute to make it 69-63.
Hubbard would put the finishing touches on the five-point victory with a pair of free throws with 15 seconds left.
State is 5-1 this season and 38-14 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans at the Hump.
The Bulldogs have won 23 of their 25 non-conference home decisions with Coach Jans at the helm.
State is 7-4 this season and 52-20 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when scoring 70 or more points.
Conversely, the Bulldogs are 3-1 this season and 54-13 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when holding their opponents to less than 70 points.
State is 7-3 this season and 63-21 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when shooting 40.0 percent or higher.
On the defensive end, the Bulldogs are 5-0 this season and 43-5 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when holding their opponent to under a 40 percent shooting clip.
State is 4-2 this season and 44-15 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when making more free throws than its opponent.
State is 2-1 this season and 29-13 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans during day games. Day games are considered contests that tipoff before 5 p.m. local time.
State has notched a 42-8 record during non-conference regular season games over the last four seasons under Coach Jans.
State outscored the Tigers by a 20-12 margin in points off turnovers.
The Bulldogs outscored Memphis 30-20 in the paint, the seventh game this season they have outscored their opponent in this category.
State knocked down 24-of-54 from the floor (44.4 percent), hit on 6-of-21 from three-point territory (28.6 percent) and sank 17-of-25 at the free throw line (68.0 percent).
Conversely, Memphis recorded a 23-of-62 shooting effort (37.1 percent), misfired on 15 of its 21 three-pointers (28.6 percent) and tallied an 11-for-16 mark at the charity stripe (68.8 percent).

PLAYER NOTES

Josh Hubbard

Started his 62nd consecutive game over the past three seasons (01/27/2024-12/20/2025).
Worked his way to 17 points headed by 7-for-8 clip from the free throw line.
Secured double figures for the 11th time in 12 games this season and for the 74th time in 81 career games.
Hubbard's 17 points helped him surpass Tony Watts (1985-90-91-92) and Craig Sword (2013-14-15-16) to claim sole possession of 13th place on State's all-time scoring list with 1,495 career points.
The junior guard enters next week's game versus Alabama State eight points shy from passing Jerry Jenkins (1973-74-75) for 12th place.
Tied Ravern Johnson (2008-09-10-11), Erick Dampier (1994-95-96) and Bailey Howell (1957-58-59) for 18th place with 74 career games in double figures.
Connected for a three-pointer in a school-record 59th consecutive game.
Sank multiple three's for the eighth time this season and in 67 of 81 career outings.
Swiped a season's best tying three steals coupled with three assists.
Collected multiple steals for the 4th time this season and for the 17th occasion in his career.

Jayden Epps

Made his 69th start in his 97th career game between State, Illinois and Georgetown.
Fueled the Bulldogs with a team-leading 19 points where he connected on 7-of-12 of his field goals, 4-for-9 from beyond the three-point line and 1-of-2 at the charity stripe.
Secured his 9th consecutive game this season (11/15/2025-12/20/2025) and his 71st career game with 10+ points.
Drained multiple threes for the sixth time this season and for the 48th time in his career.

Shawn Jones Jr.

Started for the 10th time in 12 games this season and his 22nd career outing.
Filled the box score with nine points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Has amassed 7 of his top 13 scoring performances over his last 18 games since last March.
His nine points also tied his eighth-best career scoring effort.
Garnered 5+ rebounds in nine of 12 games this season and for the 19th time in his career.
His four steals also equaled a season's best..
Swiped multiple steals for the 6th time this season and the 25th occasion in his career.
Dished out multiple assists for the 8th time this season and the 26th occasion in his career.

Sergej Macura

Started for the first time in his collegiate career.
Opened scoring for the Bulldogs with a driving floater.
Chipped in four points, four rebounds and two assists.
Provided multiple assists for the 2nd time this season

Quincy Ballard

Started in his 10th game this season and for the 77th time in his last 79 outings over the last three seasons between Mississippi State and Wichita State.
Secured five points and a team-leading eight rebounds,
State is 4-0 when Ballard leads the Maroon and White on the glass.
Grabbed 5+ rebounds in 11 of 12 games this season and 65 times in his career.

Bench

State's bench was fueled by Achor Achor who tallied eight points and five rebounds.
The 8 points were Achor's second-highest scoring performance this season.
Hauled down 5+ rebounds in 7 of 12 games this season and for the 40th time in his career.
Ja'Borri McGhee managed six points and three rebounds.
Jamarion Davis-Fleming rounded out the scoring with three points coupled with five rebounds and a pair of steals.
Grabbed 5+ rebounds for the 6th time this season.
Recorded a block in 9 of 12 games this season.

Postgame Notes: State vs. Memphis

Players Mentioned

Achor Achor

Quincy Ballard

Jamarion Davis-Fleming

Jayden Epps

Josh Hubbard

Shawn Jones Jr.

Sergej Macura

Ja’Borri McGhee

Mississippi State University Athletics

Postgame Notes: State vs. Memphis

Related News

Players Mentioned

Achor Achor

Quincy Ballard

Jamarion Davis-Fleming

Jayden Epps

Josh Hubbard

Shawn Jones Jr.

Sergej Macura

Ja’Borri McGhee

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