Mississippi State's men's basketball team, ranked 22nd nationally, secured a narrow victory over Georgia with a final score of 76-75 in a thrilling SEC matchup on Saturday night. Josh Hubbard's 16 points were pivotal in halting Mississippi State's two-game losing streak, as the team navigated a challenging game against Georgia's Bulldogs.
The heated encounter, held at Georgia's home ground in Athens, saw Mississippi State improve their SEC record to 5-5, marking a much-needed win after recent setbacks. Meanwhile, Georgia, despite their strong start to the season, fell to 4-7 in SEC play and recorded only their second home loss, bringing their home record to 13-2.
This game was a classic tale of resilience and tactical play. Mississippi State leveraged an overwhelming advantage in bench scoring, outpacing Georgia with a notable 32-5 margin. Points in the paint also played a critical role, as Mississippi State led with 46-28 in this area. The victory was further bolstered by strategic defensive plays; notably, Claudell Harris Jr.'s last-second steal sealed the win by preventing Georgia from executing a potential game-winning play.
Silas Demary Jr. provided intense competition for Georgia, scoring an impressive 23 points. His performance kept Georgia on Mississippi State's heels throughout the match. With only 8 seconds left on the clock, Demary Jr. narrowed the margin by converting two free throws, bringing the score to a nail-biting 76-75.
Significant game-defining moments included Asa Newell's three-pointer that tied the scores for the third time in the second half at 71-71. However, Mississippi State's strategic depth and bench strength played a crucial role in keeping Georgia at bay. The first half ended with Mississippi State leading 40-32, capitalizing on a 7-0 run that featured pivotal plays such as Riley Kugel's slam dunk following a forced turnover.
Despite their victory, Mississippi State’s free-throw statistics left room for improvement, as they only completed 6 of 18 shots throughout the game. Nevertheless, the team demonstrated their capability to thrive under pressure, leaving Georgia's efforts to retake control fruitless.
A setback for Georgia was the injury of guard Tyrin Lawrence, who left the court mid-first half due to an apparent right leg injury, diminishing Georgia's strength as he did not return to the game.
Looking ahead, Mississippi State will host the formidable No. 6 Florida in Starkville, while Georgia will travel to face No. 10 Texas A&M. Both games are scheduled for Tuesday night, providing yet another set of challenging fixtures for these SEC teams who aim to bolster their standings as the season progresses.
