Mississippi State crushes Oklahoma 72-53, Josh Hubbard’s 30 points lead Bulldogs to dominant SEC victory

Mississippi State basketball dominated a sluggish Oklahoma squad on Wednesday night, cruising to a 72-53 victory at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville. The Bulldogs extend their winning streak to six straight games with a second-half offensive explosion that buried any comeback hopes.

Hubbard Follows 38-Point Explosion With Another Dominant Performance

Josh Hubbard continues his torrid shooting streak after a career-high 38-point outburst against Texas last Saturday. The Mississippi State junior followed up that performance with 30 points on efficient shooting, including 16 in the crucial second half.

Remarkably, Hubbard accomplished the feat while making just one three-pointer, displaying his all-around scoring versatility. His step-back jumpers down the stretch essentially sealed the victory, as Oklahoma had no defensive answer for his mid-range game.

The SEC Player of the Week selection showcased why he has become the backbone of Coach Chris Jans‘ high-octane offense, now averaging 22.5 points through the first two conference games.

Achor Achor’s Rebounding Prowess Fuels Dominant Second Half

Achor Achor exploded for a season-high 14 rebounds (including 4 offensive boards) giving Mississippi State critical second-chance points. The Kansas State transfer made his presence felt on both ends, providing the physical defense and rebounding that sparked the Bulldogs‘s second-half surge.

Stat Category	Mississippi State	Oklahoma
Final Score	72	53
First Half Score	27	27
Second Half Score	45	26
Field Goal %	42%	31%
Total Rebounds	46	35
Venue	Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville, MS

His offensive rebounding created havoc for Oklahoma, as the Sooners struggled to clear the glass against the bigger, more physical Mississippi State frontcourt. Achor Achor‘s double-double was vital to the Bulldogs‘ rebound advantage of 46-35.

The Critical Turning Point: A Near Eight-Minute Scoring Drought Seals Oklahoma’s Fate

The pivotal moment came midway through the second half when Oklahoma endured a devastating eight-minute stretch without a field goal. After taking a 38-35 lead with nearly 16 minutes remaining, the Sooners went cold, missing 10 consecutive shots and scoring just one point during nearly five minutes of play.

Mississippi State capitalized ruthlessly, building a commanding 51-43 lead with 8:27 left to play. Once the Bulldogs established their double-digit advantage, Oklahoma never threatened again, as Chris Jans‘ team controlled the final stretch with poise and execution.

“The first half featured nine total turnovers and only three assists, as neither team shot better than 34 percent from the field. But Mississippi State found its rhythm in the second half, shooting almost 52 percent.”

— Sports Illustrated Game Analysis, January 8, 2026

What Does the Sixth-Straight Win Mean for Mississippi State’s SEC Title Hopes?

The Bulldogs have now won six consecutive games and two straight SEC contests to start conference play at 2-0. This dominant stretch after a slow 4-5 start through non-conference play demonstrates the dramatic improvement Chris Jans‘ squad has made, showcasing championship-level potential.

Next up for Mississippi State is a road trip to face Kentucky on Saturday night in Lexington. The Wildcats are struggling at 9-6 overall and 0-2 in SEC conference play after a home-court loss to Missouri, creating an opportunity for the hot Bulldogs to continue their dominant run.

With Hubbard playing at an elite level and Achor Achor providing crucial interior presence, Mississippi State basketball appears built to compete for an SEC title. The question is whether this momentum carries through the brutal conference schedule.

Sources

• ESPN – Game box score and official statistics
• Sports Illustrated – Game recap and analysis
• Associated Press – Official game result and player statistics