STARKVILLE, Miss. — In an impressive display of athletic prowess, Josh Hubbard propelled No. 24 Mississippi State to a victory over LSU with 30 points, with 20 scored in the decisive second half. The Bulldogs clinched an 81-69 win on Saturday in college basketball action.
Riley Kugel contributed significantly to Mississippi State’s success, scoring 12 points while making five of his six attempts from the field. The Bulldogs, who have achieved 20 victories for the third straight season under the direction of Coach Chris Jans, faced early challenges. They found themselves trailing by eight points during the first half and concluded the period behind with a score of 37-35.
For the LSU Tigers, Cam Carter delivered a noteworthy performance with 23 points, followed by Damion Collins, who added 10 points to the scoreboard. Derek Fountain had an efficient game, scoring nine points with perfect shooting from the field and collecting five rebounds.
Carter’s shooting from beyond the arc was a highlight for LSU, as he successfully hit five of his ten three-point attempts. However, the rest of the team struggled with their shooting, combining for just four made three-pointers out of 26 attempts.
Mississippi State managed to sharpen their game in the second half by reducing their turnovers from nine in the first half to just two in the latter half. They exerted their dominance on the boards, outrebounding the Tigers 36-31 throughout the matchup, and they controlled the interior with a substantial 40-22 lead in points in the paint.
Key Takeaways:
For LSU, the game was marked by a shooting percentage of 39% (25 for 64) from the floor, while Mississippi State had a remarkable 57% (29 for 51). The Tigers saw 46 points slip away in the second half alone, emphasizing the need for defensive adjustments.
Mississippi State’s resurgence was a pivotal factor in the game, turning the early tide of adversity into a triumphant finish.
A crucial moment in the contest arrived when Hubbard nailed a 3-pointer, propelling the Bulldogs to a 60-53 lead with roughly 11 minutes remaining on the clock.
Looking ahead, Mississippi State prepares to take on Texas at home on Tuesday night. Meanwhile, LSU will face a challenge on the road as they visit Kentucky, also set for Tuesday night.
