Mississippi State Men’s Basketball Outlast Arkansas To Win Its Third Straight Game
Another win was in the books for the Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon, but it wasn’t easy as the Mississippi State men’s basketball team defeated Arkansas 71-67.
The second half was not a pretty sight for the Bulldogs compared to the opening minutes of the game, but big shots from Josh Hubbard and Shakeel Moore and key defensive plays from Cameron Matthews elevated Mississippi State (17-8, SEC 6-6) to the win.
This was three in a row for State and Hubbard has been a major part of this impressive stretch. For most of the game, his 3-point shot was not falling shooting 3-10 from the field. For most young players like himself, missing those shots would deter them from not shooting again but with 58 seconds left in the game down two, the star freshman rose to the occasion like he has for most of the season and hit a clutch three.
“We knew that we were down with close to a minute left and we just knew that we had to get a quick bucket. We just read what the defense gave us and took the shot. I’ve always played with a lot of confidence late and they (the team) instill confidence each and every day in practice and I do the same,” Hubbard on his clutch 3-pointer.
Hubbard finished the game leading the Bulldogs in scoring with 19 points and three timely assist.
Cameron Matthews was the next leading scorer finishing with a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. His impact on the floor is undeniable as he was flying around poking the ball loose and being the primary on-ball defender for most of the game.
“He just made plays where you are just like wow. He showed everyone he is the most competitive dude on the court and he had some plays like that tonight. I’m certainly glad that he was wearing our colors because I don’t know if we win if he is not out there. He makes so many plays that don’t show up on the stat sheet,” Head Coach Chris Jans on Matthews.
Matthews was one of the many reasons when Arkansas took the lead 63-61 toward the tail end of the game, that the Bulldogs did not let it affect them. Hubbard and him both drove to the paint and finished tough layups to keep pace with Arkansas before Hubbard's big three.
The Bulldogs will be looking for their fourth straight victory but it won’t be an easy task as Ole Miss (18-6, SEC 5-6) comes to Starkville on Wednesday and is looking to sweep State in basketball for the year.
![Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Chris Jans reacts to a call in the first half. The Florida men s basketball team hosted the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]](https://www.si.com/.image/ar_16:9%2Cc_fill%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cg_faces:center%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_640/MjAzODgwNzEyNjgyNjEyMjg0/usatsi_22365217.jpg)
