In a game that would have sealed Mississippi State’s fate as an NCAA Tournament team, the Bulldogs lost a 93-89 overtime heartbreaker at home to No. 17 South Carolina on Saturday.
Down by three with 3:34 left in regulation, freshman phenom Josh Hubbard hit a three to knot the game up at 70 and solidify himself in history as Mississippi State’s single-season three-point leader.
JOSH HUBBARD. 98 THREES (and counting) 🔥
The most three pointers in a season in program history! #HailState🐶 x @jhubb_3 pic.twitter.com/PLOpSqLn5k
— Mississippi State Men’s Basketball (@HailStateMBK) March 9, 2024
After the clutch shot from Hubbard, the two teams exchanged buckets to end regulation with the score at 77-77. In the extra period, South Carolina (25-6, 13-5 SEC) outscored Mississippi State 16-12 to cap off one of the best regular-season turnarounds in college basketball. They were 4-14 in conference play and 11-21 overall a year ago.
For Mississippi State (19-12, 8-10), it was the third straight game the Bulldogs have started slow – something head coach Chris Janes pointed out in the post-game press conference.
“The last three games have all been similar in the way they’ve unfolded from our perspective,” Jans said. “Auburn, (Texas) A&M, and tonight against South Carolina, the difference in the margin throughout the game wasn’t as big but that theme of playing from behind and just fighting uphill all night long was the same.”
Hubbard finished with 28 points – his fifth game in a row exceeding the 20-point threshold – while Tolu Smith and Cameron Matthews both recorded double-doubles. Leading the way for South Carolina was B.J. Mack with 25 points, seven of which came in overtime to help seal the victory.
Next up for Mississippi State will be round one of the SEC Tournament in Nashville, Tenn. The Bulldogs, who need a couple of wins for their postseason résumé, will face off against LSU on Thursday at noon.
