Postgame Notes: State vs. San Francisco

TEAM NOTES

Mississippi State dropped a 65-62 decision to San Francisco on Sunday afternoon at Cadence Bank Arena in Tupelo.
The Bulldogs trailed for a majority of the contest and overcame a 12-point deficit during the second half to eventually take a 62-61 lead with 24 seconds left.
On the ensuing possession, the Dons would connect on two free throws then cash in a State turnover to regain a 65-62 advantage with nine seconds left.
The Bulldogs had a shot to send the game to overtime, but Jayden Epps misfired on an off balanced three-pointer during the closing seconds.
It was the first meeting between the two programs on the hardwood. State dropped to 14-7 against current members of the West Coast Conference.
The Bulldogs moved to 16-4 all-time under Coach Jans during the month of December.
State falls to 39-8 versus non-SEC opponents in the regular season under Coach Jans.
The Bulldogs were held to under 70 points for the first time this season after playing a majority of the game without leading scorer Josh Hubbard who left due to injury.
State was outrebounded by a 43-40 margin. It marked the fourth game where the Bulldogs and their opponent each had 40+ rebounds.
State has lost four of five decisions when losing the battle of the boards this season.
The Maroon and White are 4-2 this season and 36-12 over the last four seasons under Coach Jans when grabbing 40+ rebounds.
State's defense accounted for five of the game's eight steals.
The Bulldogs outscored San Francisco by a 29-16 margin from the bench.
Keys to the San Francisco victory were scoring 19 of the game's 31 points on second-chance opportunities and committing only six turnovers on the offensive end.
State knocked down 26-of-67 from the floor (38.8 percent), drained 8-of-28 from three-point territory (28.6 percent) and hit on a 2-of-8 clip at the free throw line (25.0 percent).
Conversely, San Francisco recorded a 26-of-61 shooting effort (42.6 percent), connected on a 7-of-29 clip on its three-pointers (24.1 percent) and tallied a 6-for-10 mark at the charity stripe (60.0 percent).
The Bulldogs have lost all five games on the season when their opponent shoots better than 40 percent from the field.

PLAYER NOTES

Josh Hubbard

Started his 59th consecutive game over the past three seasons (01/27/2024-12/07/2025).
Opened up scoring for the Bulldogs with a spot up three-pointer.
Made a three-pointer in 56 straight games.
Had his run of 27 consecutive games in double figures come to a close.

Jayden Epps

Made his 66th start in his 94th career game between State, Illinois and Georgetown.
Provided a season's best equaling 21 points where he connected on 8-of-16 from the field and a 5-of-10 mark from three.
Scored 20+ points three times this season and 21 times in his career.
Tallied his sixth straight game (11/15/2025-12/03/2025) in double figures this season and the 68th time in his career.
Tied his season-high field goals made mark with eight.
Drained multiple three's in four of seven outings at State this season and for the 36th time in his career.
The sixth time Epps has dialed up at least five trifectas.

Shawn Jones Jr.

Started his seventh time in nine games this season and his 20th career outing.
Added four points and paced the Bulldogs in rebounding for the first time this season with seven rebounds.
Grabbed 5+ rebounds for the eighth time in nine games this season and for the 18th occasion of his career.

Brandon Walker

Started for the second time this season and for the 77th time in his career between Texas-Arlington, Montana State and Mississippi State.
Provided five points and four rebounds.

Jamarion Davis-Fleming

Started in his second consecutive game.
Grabbed 5+ rebounds for the fifth time this season.

Bench

Ja'Borri McGhee fueled State's bench with 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting and hauled down six rebounds, all of the defensive end.
Scored 10+ points for the third time over his last four games and for the 25th time in his career.
State and UAB fell to a combined 17-8 when McGhee reaches double figures.
Grabbed 5+ rebounds for the second time this season and the seventh time in his career.
Matches his season-high with six field goals made.
Sergej Macura provided a season-high eight points coupled with five rebounds and a team-leading three assists.
Grabbed five or more rebounds for the fourth time this season.
His first game with multiple assists this season.
Dellquan Warren scored a career-high tying five points.
Also provided a rebound, steal and assist.
Quincy Ballard rounded out the scoring with two points and six rebounds.

Postgame Notes: State vs. San Francisco

Players Mentioned

Quincy Ballard

Jamarion Davis-Fleming

Jayden Epps

Josh Hubbard

Shawn Jones Jr.

Sergej Macura

Ja’Borri McGhee

Brandon Walker

Dellquan Warren

Mississippi State University Athletics

Postgame Notes: State vs. San Francisco

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Players Mentioned

Quincy Ballard

Jamarion Davis-Fleming

Jayden Epps

Josh Hubbard

Shawn Jones Jr.

Sergej Macura

Ja’Borri McGhee

Brandon Walker

Dellquan Warren

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