Thrilling Showdown in Starkville
In a thrilling college basketball showdown in Starkville, Mississippi State managed to edge out Auburn with a final score of 91-85 despite squandering an 18-point advantage earlier in the game.
Josh Hubbard’s Historic Performance
Josh Hubbard, a standout junior guard standing at 6 feet tall, delivered an impressive performance, scoring a career-high 46 points while shattering his team’s previous 3-point record by sinking 10 shots from beyond the arc. The astonishing feat, which surpassed the former program record of eight 3-pointers accomplished six times before, included an incredible 9-for-12 shooting performance from long-distance before the halftime buzzer sounded.
First Half Dominance
Mississippi State entered the locker room leading by 16 after posting 51 points in the first half, with Hubbard contributing a staggering 35 points—outscoring the entire Auburn lineup, which managed only 33 points during the half.
Historic SEC Milestone
This victory was noteworthy not only for Hubbard but also for his historic mark in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), where he eclipsed the longstanding record set by Bailey Howell, who scored 45 points against LSU way back on February 22, 1958. Howell is also the record holder for the most points scored in a single game for the Bulldogs, tallying 47 against Union in December 1958.
Auburn’s Struggles
Auburn, currently struggling with a five-game losing streak, saw Keyshawn Hall leading their efforts with an impressive 29 points and 10 rebounds. Teammates Tahaad Pettiford and Kevin Overton added 21 and 15 points respectively, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to secure the win.
Crucial Moments
As the game drew to a close, Hubbard executed a crucial layup with just over a minute on the clock, followed shortly by a corner 3-pointer that pushed Mississippi State ahead 85-83. The Bulldogs’ defense tightened in the final moments, highlighted by blocked shots from Achor Achor and Jamarion Davis-Fleming that thwarted Auburn’s attempts to retake the lead.
Looking Ahead
This exhilarating match further complicates Auburn’s season, while Mississippi State, holding a record of 13-13 overall and 5-8 within the SEC, looks to gain momentum heading into their upcoming game against South Carolina. Meanwhile, Auburn will regroup as they prepare to face Kentucky at home on Saturday.
