Josh Hubbard's Historic Night Propels MSU Past Auburn in Instant Classic

Mississippi State guard sets program records in 91-85 victory over SEC rival

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Mississippi State guard Josh Hubbard had a historic performance, scoring 46 points and setting program records for most three-pointers made in a game, as the Bulldogs rallied from a late deficit to defeat Auburn 91-85 in an instant classic. Hubbard's heroics in the final minute, including a go-ahead three-pointer, helped MSU overcome a 16-point first half lead that had been erased.

Why it matters

Hubbard's standout game is the latest in a string of impressive performances that have him climbing the national scoring leaderboard. The win also keeps Mississippi State in the hunt for a strong finish to the SEC season after a recent rough stretch, showcasing the team's resilience and ability to rally around its star player.

The details

Hubbard hit a record-setting nine three-pointers in the first half to help MSU build a 16-point lead, but Auburn stormed back in the second half and took a 7-point advantage with under 4 minutes to play. Hubbard then hit the go-ahead three-pointer in the final minute, and the Bulldogs held on for the victory behind key defensive stops and free throws.

  • Hubbard hit a record-setting 9 three-pointers in the first half.
  • Auburn took a 7-point lead with under 4 minutes remaining in the game.
  • Hubbard hit the go-ahead three-pointer in the final minute to put MSU back in front.

The players

Josh Hubbard

A standout junior guard for Mississippi State who set program records with 46 points and 9 three-pointers made in the game.

KeShawn Murphy

An Auburn player who is a transfer from Mississippi State, drawing boos from the home crowd.

Achor Achor

An MSU player who came up with a key defensive stop late in the game.

Jamarion Davis-Fleming

An MSU player who also made a crucial defensive play in the final minutes.

Chris Jans

The head coach of the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

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What they’re saying

“Insane, legendary performance. I mean, we're three years in, a legendary performance, man, I already knew he was great. I tell him every day, he's my favorite point guard in the world, and he keeps living up to it. He never let me down.”

— Shawn Jones Jr., Teammate (cdispatch.com)

“I go in the locker room at halftime and get the stat sheet, I'm like: he's got 35? I knew obviously he was having a half, but 35 and as clean as it was with the efficiency, the shots he was making, it was a special half. Toward the end, I'm not going to lie... your brain at one point, I'm like: if we waste that half of his performance, it's gonna be a shame. We didn't.”

— Chris Jans, Head Coach (cdispatch.com)

“At the end, we ran a good play. I got open, had the confidence to shoot it and knock it down.”

— Josh Hubbard (cdispatch.com)

What’s next

The Bulldogs will look to build on this momentum as they continue their SEC schedule, with key matchups against ranked opponents on the horizon.

The takeaway

Josh Hubbard's historic performance not only propelled Mississippi State to a thrilling victory over a conference rival, but also cemented his status as one of the top scorers in the country. The Bulldogs' ability to rally around their star player and secure the win despite a large second-half deficit showcases the team's resilience and potential for a strong finish to the season.