STARKVILLE, Miss.
— Josh Hubbard showcased his talent by scoring 14 of his game-leading 25 points in the final crucial moments as Mississippi State secured a 91-84 victory against a fatigued Prairie View A&M on Sunday afternoon.
Prairie View A&M has been on an arduous road trip, marking their eighth consecutive away game after achieving a season-opening win against a non-NCAA team. The Panthers will not return home until they host Grambling for their Southwestern Athletic Conference opener on January 4. Throughout these tough road games, the Panthers have surrendered 100 points or more in three instances and have seen opponents score over 90 points in seven of their eight losses on the road.
The Bulldogs, with a record of 8-1, were coming off an impressive 90-57 victory against No. 18 Pitt in the SEC/ACC Men’s Challenge, but they faced significant challenges from the Panthers. The teams entered halftime tied at 44-44, and Tanahj Pettway connected from long range to put Prairie View ahead, 65-64, midway through the second half.
In response, Mississippi State launched a decisive 16-2 run. This surge began with two layups from Hubbard and a three-pointer from Claudell Harris Jr., and it culminated with another three-pointer from Hubbard and a layup from Jordan Tillmon, extending their lead to 80-68 with under five minutes to go.
Hubbard managed to hit four of his ten attempts from the three-point line, contributing not only his scoring but also providing three assists and securing two steals. Coming off the bench, Harris delivered a stellar performance by hitting three of six from deep, amassing 21 points. Other notable contributors were Shawn Jones Jr., who added 11 points, Michael Nwoko with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds, and RJ Melendez, who also reached the 10-point mark.
For Prairie View A&M, Nick Anderson led the effort with 21 points and four assists. Meanwhile, Pettway was effective from beyond the arc, sinking four out of five attempts to finish with 20 points, while Marcel Bryant contributed with 19 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
This match showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, with Mississippi State ultimately overcoming Prairie View A&M in a thrilling encounter.
