OXFORD, Miss. — R.J. Melendez led the way for No. 22 Mississippi State, scoring 17 points on Saturday night as they secured an 81-71 victory over their in-state rival No. 19 Mississippi, completing a season sweep of the Rebels.
The Bulldogs improved their record to 18-7 overall and 6-6 in the Southeastern Conference. Alongside Melendez, Josh Hubbard contributed with 14 points, while Riley Kugel added 11 points. Keshawn Murphy and Claudell Harris Jr. each chipped in with 10 points to support the team’s well-rounded offense.
For Ole Miss, which now stands at 19-7 and 8-5 in conference play, Jaylen Murray was a standout with 14 points, and Sean Pedulla contributed 13.
Despite struggling with shooting, as Hubbard went 3 of 13 from the field, the rest of the Bulldogs stepped up. The team showcased an impressive shooting percentage of 51.7% in the first half, finishing the game at 43%. Mississippi State’s lead reached a high of 67-48 with just under nine minutes remaining, following a steal by Kugel that led to a layup from Shawn Jones Jr.
Melendez had to briefly exit the game after a flagrant foul by Jaemyn Brakefield at the 10:50 mark. The Bulldogs capitalized on the ensuing free throws, widening their lead to 62-46.
Key Takeaways:
Mississippi State effectively limited Ole Miss to a mere 25% shooting from beyond the arc, showcasing strong defensive efforts.
Meanwhile, Ole Miss, known for their low turnover rate with just 8.8 turnovers per game, faltered by committing 11 turnovers, which allowed the Bulldogs to score 15 points off those mistakes.
A pivotal moment in the game came when the Rebels, trailing by seven at halftime, struggled further in the second half. The Bulldogs kicked off the half with a 15-11 run, marking their first double-digit lead on a putback by Murphy at the 14:20 mark.
In terms of statistics:
Mississippi State previously edged out Ole Miss 84-81 in an overtime thriller. Under the leadership of third-year head coach Chris Jans, the Bulldogs have secured a remarkable 6-1 record against the Rebels.
For Ole Miss, the team struggled on the boards, ending the game with a minus-12 rebounding differential after suffering a minus-22 deficit in their prior matchup in Starkville.
Looking ahead, Mississippi State is prepared to host No. 8 Texas A&M on Tuesday night, while Ole Miss will travel to face Vanderbilt next Saturday.
