Mississippi State basketball dropped its first game of the Hall of Fame Classic in another feeble defensive performance.
The Bulldogs (2-2) lost 98-77 to Kansas State (5-0) on Nov. 20 in Kansas City, Missouri. It’s the second time this season they’ve allowed at least 96 points.
MSU couldn’t keep up with PJ Haggerty’s 37 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. The Wildcats held a 44-36 halftime lead and led by as many as 23 points in the second half. They shot 14-for-30 from 3.
Josh Hubbard led MSU with 23 points, while Georgetown transfer Jayden Epps scored a season-high 18 points off the bench.
Mississippi State will play New Mexico (3-2) on Nov. 21 (6 p.m., Peacock) after it lost 84-72 to Nebraska.
Watch Mississippi State vs Kansas State
Mississippi State vs Kansas State score, highlights
The game is slipping away from MSU, now trailing 82-64 with 6:15 remaining.
Mississippi State is hanging in the game though, trailing 74-65 with 7:51 remaining.
He’s up to a season-high 15 points as Mississippi State is hanging around Kansas State. The Wildcats lead 62-53 with 11:52 remaining.
Kansas State leads 52-41 with 15:48 remaining.
Kansas State hit a layup at the halftime buzzer. Josh Hubbard is Mississippi State’s leading scorer with 13 points. Dellquan Warren and Brandon Walker both didn’t play in the first half.
The Wildcats have their largest lead of the game at 33-26 with 5:11 remaining in the first half. PJ Haggerty has 12 points for Kansas State.
He’s got seven points off the bench after draining a contested 3-pointer. Mississippi State leads Kansas State 16-14 with 11:08 to play in the first half.
Sergej Macura hit his first 3 of the season shortly after coming off the bench. Josh Hubbard also hit a 3 that gave MSU the 9-7 lead with 14:31 remaining in the first half.
Here are Josh Hubbard’s stats for the season:
- Points per game: 22.3
- Assists per game: 5.7
- Rebounds per game: 2.7
- Field-goal percentage: 44.4
- 3-point percentage: 36.0
Chris Jans coaches Mississippi State basketball. He has a 65-41 record in four seasons at Mississippi State.
What time does Mississippi State vs Kansas State start?
- Date: Thursday, Nov. 20
- Time: 8:30 p.m. CT
- Where: T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri
What TV channel is Mississippi State vs Kansas State on today?
Mississippi State vs Kansas State prediction
- Sam Sklar, The Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State 80, Kansas State 75
Mississippi State vs Kansas State injury updates
Kansas State guard Mobi Ikegwuruka did not play in the Nov. 17 game against Tulsa for an unspecified reason. He’s made one start in three games this season and averages 3.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game.
Mississippi State basketball schedule 2025-26
The next five games on Mississippi State’s schedule:
- Nov. 21: vs. Nebraska or New Mexico in the Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City (6 or 8:30 p.m., Peacock)
- Nov. 24: vs. New Orleans (6:30 p.m., SEC Network+)
- Nov. 28: vs. SMU (6 p.m., SEC Network+)
- Dec. 3: at Georgia Tech (8:15 p.m., ACC Network)
- Dec. 7: vs. San Francisco in Tupelo (3 p.m., SEC Network)
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
