STARKVILLE, Miss. — On Tuesday night, Josh Hubbard delivered an impressive performance, sinking four 3-pointers and finishing with 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting, contributing to Mississippi State’s victory over Southeastern Louisiana with a score of 80-59.

In addition to Hubbard’s efforts, Kanye Clary contributed 12 points, while KeShawn Murphy added 10 points for the Bulldogs, who improved their record to 3-0. Cameron Matthews made a significant impact on the boards, securing 13 rebounds along with seven points, four assists, and three steals.

The game saw Shawn Jones Jr. energize the crowd with a dunk that narrowed the score to 16-14, marking a pivotal moment with 12:01 left in the first half. Following that play, the Bulldogs maintained their lead throughout the match. A crucial 3-pointer from Hubbard extended their advantage into double digits with just 5:34 remaining in the first half. However, the Lions responded with a burst of energy, making four 3-pointers, including three from Kam Burton, which brought them within three points at halftime, trailing 40-37.

As the second half unfolded, Southeastern Louisiana struggled, converting only one of their first 12 attempts from the field. This setback allowed Mississippi State to go on a decisive 12-0 run, increasing their lead to 15 points by the time 13:20 remained in the game.

Kam Burton led the Lions in scoring, hitting 5 of 10 from beyond the arc for a total of 17 points. Sam Hines Jr. also made a substantial contribution with 14 points, alongside six rebounds and five assists. Unfortunately for Southeastern Louisiana, they faced a rough stretch at the end of the game, going scoreless after Burton’s layup at 4:18, ultimately shooting just 29.6% (8 of 27) from the field and getting outscored 40-22 in the second half.

Overall, it was a solid performance by Mississippi State, showcasing both their offensive capabilities and defensive prowess as the team continues to build momentum in the early part of the season.