STARKVILLE, Miss. (Interstat) — Mississippi State edged Memphis 71-66 in a men’s NCAA basketball game Saturday at Humphrey Coliseum. The Bulldogs improved to 7-5 while the Tigers fell to 4-7. Jayden Epps led Mississippi State with 19 points. Memphis’ Curtis Givens scored a game-high 18 points. The Bulldogs secured the win by scoring 20 points off 17 Memphis turnovers and making 17 free throws. Memphis shot just 37.1% from the field and missed 22 of 31 three-point attempts. A crowd of 6,971 saw the home team maintain a narrow lead throughout the second half.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (Interstat) — In a game defined by grinding defense and squandered opportunities, the Mississippi State Bulldogs outlasted the Memphis Tigers 71-66 in a non-conference men’s basketball matchup Saturday afternoon at Humphrey Coliseum. A crowd of 6,971 watched as neither team could muster consistent offense, with both sides combining to shoot under 40% from the field and commit 32 turnovers. The difference ultimately came at the free-throw line, where Mississippi State converted 17 of 25 attempts compared to Memphis’ 11 of 16, providing just enough cushion in a contest where baskets were at a premium. Memphis, which fell to 4-7, was led by a dynamic scoring effort from guard Curtis Givens. The hometown product poured in 18 points, including three critical three-pointers in the second half to keep the Tigers within striking distance. Center Aaron Bradshaw provided an interior presence with 12 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Mississippi State, improving to 7-5, countered with a balanced attack. Guard Jayden Epps led all scorers with 19 points, while backcourt mate Josh Hubbard added 17 points and three assists. Forward Shawn Jones filled the stat sheet with nine points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals in a pivotal all-around performance. The game’s most important sequence unfolded in the final 90 seconds, turning a one-possession game into a two-possession Bulldogs lead. With Mississippi State clinging to a 64-61 advantage after a Givens three-pointer, Memphis had a chance to tie or cut the deficit to one. But on the ensuing possession, Tigers point guard Dug McDaniel committed a turnover, one of his game-high six, which was stolen by Hubbard. The Bulldogs capitalized immediately, with Hubbard finding Jones for a crushing dunk to push the lead to 67-61 with just 1:26 remaining. Memphis, which struggled offensively all afternoon with an efficiency rating of 93.5 points per 100 possessions, could not mount a final rally. A late three-pointer by Givens brought the Tigers to within 69-66 with 27 seconds left, but Hubbard sealed the game by sinking two free throws after a deliberate foul. The first half set the tone for the defensive struggle, with Mississippi State taking a narrow 34-30 lead into the break. Both teams were plagued by cold shooting and ball-handling issues, combining for 18 turnovers in the opening period. The Bulldogs built an early 10-point lead behind two three-pointers from Epps, but Memphis clawed back with its own sporadic bursts, primarily from Givens and forward Ashton Hardaway, who finished with 11 points. Memphis’ effort was hampered by its inability to protect the ball or convert from deep, finishing 9 of 31 from three-point range. The Tigers did dominate the offensive glass, grabbing 16 rebounds to Mississippi State’s nine, but those extra chances often resulted in more missed shots, as they shot just 37.1% from the field overall. Mississippi State wasn’t markedly more efficient, shooting 44.4% with an offensive rating of 98.8, but did enough in key moments. The Bulldogs’ defense was opportunistic, matching Memphis with nine steals, and their ability to draw fouls and convert at the line in the second half proved decisive. Center Quincy Ballard was a force on the boards with eight rebounds, five offensive, to help offset Memphis’ rebounding edge. The loss extends a difficult stretch for Memphis, which has now dropped three of its last four games. The Tigers will look to regroup quickly as they host Alabama State on Monday. Mississippi State, which has won three of its last four, will break for the holidays before returning to host Alabama State on Dec. 29.

STARKVILLE, Miss. (Interstat) — Two teams looking to steady their nonconference seasons will meet Saturday when the Memphis Tigers visit the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Humphrey Coliseum. Memphis (4-6) arrives after a draining 77-70 overtime loss to Vanderbilt on Wednesday, its second straight defeat. The Tigers have struggled for consistency, with their last win coming against Baylor on Dec. 6. Guard Dug McDaniel has been a bright spot, averaging 14.4 points and 5.2 assists over his last five games. He logged 42 minutes and scored 18 points in the loss to Vanderbilt. Mississippi State (6-5) has won two straight, including an 87-83 victory over Long Island on Tuesday. That win was fueled by a career-high 34 points from sophomore guard Josh Hubbard. The Bulldogs’ standout has been on a scoring tear, averaging 24.3 points over his last four full games, though he was limited to just two minutes in a Dec. 7 loss to San Francisco due to an early injury. The matchup features a contrast in backcourt tempo. McDaniel’s playmaking for Memphis will be tested by Hubbard’s explosive scoring ability for Mississippi State. The Tigers will need more support beyond McDaniel and fellow guards Sincere Parker and Hasan Abdul Hakim, who combined for 49 of the team’s 70 points against Vanderbilt. For the Bulldogs, sustaining momentum is key before a daunting Southeastern Conference slate begins in January. Protecting home court is critical; they are 5-1 at Humphrey Coliseum this season. This intrastate showdown offers both teams a final chance to build confidence before the holiday break. Memphis seeks to avoid a third consecutive loss, while Mississippi State aims for its first three-game winning streak of the season. Tip-off is set for Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. Memphis hosts Alabama State on Monday. Mississippi State’s next game is against Alabama State on Dec. 29.