Mississippi State Struggles Shooting in SEC Tournament Loss to Missouri
Mississippi State basketball’s time in the SEC Tournament has come to an end. After an impressive shooting display in the first round against LSU, the Bulldogs failed to maintain their offensive rhythm, struggling to find consistency in their second-round matchup. Their run in Nashville concluded with an 85-73 loss to Missouri.
State battled Mizzou throughout the game, with the score tied at 69 with 4:13 remaining. However, the Tigers closed the game on a 16-4 run, pulling away and eliminating the Bulldogs. Mississippi State now holds a 21-12 record.
Mississippi State Reverts to Poor Shooting Against Missouri
The Bulldogs’ offensive explosion against LSU didn’t carry over, as they returned to their late-season shooting struggles. Mississippi State shot just 36.4% from the field and 6-30 from three, missing eight free throws as well.
Josh Hubbard led the team with 24 points and hit some key second-half shots, but he finished just 8-22 from the field and 3-14 from deep. Riley Kugel and Claudell Harris combined for an 0-10 shooting performance, while RJ Melendez went 3-11. KeShawn Murphy added 18 points but missed crucial close-range shots.
Mississippi State had opportunities to seize momentum after defensive stops but failed to capitalize, finishing with just six fast-break points. Despite strong offensive rebounding, their overall offensive inefficiency proved costly.
Mississippi State Improves Perimeter Defense but Still Falls Short
In their first matchup, Missouri torched Mississippi State with 15 three-pointers. This time, the Bulldogs held Mizzou to 8-24 from beyond the arc—an acceptable mark. However, the Tigers adjusted by attacking the paint, scoring 36 points inside and frequently getting to the free throw line in the second half.
The primary issue wasn’t Missouri’s big men, but rather their guards. Tamar Bates and Tony Perkins repeatedly drove to the rim with success, exposing Mississippi State’s defensive vulnerabilities.
While the Bulldogs forced 15 turnovers and had stretches of strong defensive play, their overall inconsistency remained evident. A better offensive performance could have alleviated some of their defensive struggles, but both ends of the floor fell short.
Mississippi State Enters NCAA Tournament With Questions
Mississippi State’s goal in the SEC Tournament was to build momentum for March Madness. Their dominant win over LSU suggested they were on track, but their loss to Missouri raised fresh concerns.
The Bulldogs have now lost five of their last seven games, with both wins coming against a struggling LSU team. None of the recent losses have featured a strong performance, making them a prime candidate for an early NCAA Tournament exit. While they’ve shown flashes of potential, their inconsistency leaves plenty of doubt about their ability to make a deep run.
