Mississippi State guard drops 46 in win over former teammate

Josh Hubbard sets school records as Bulldogs rally past Auburn

Feb. 25, 2026 at 3:39pm

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Mississippi State basketball guard Josh Hubbard scored a career-high 46 points, including a program-record 10 three-pointers, to lead the Bulldogs to a 91-85 victory over Auburn on Wednesday night. The game featured a late comeback by Auburn and a reunion between Hubbard and former Mississippi State player KeShawn Murphy, who now plays for the Tigers.

Why it matters

This win was a crucial conference victory for Mississippi State, snapping a five-game home losing streak and providing momentum for their SEC push. The matchup between Hubbard and Murphy also added an extra layer of drama, as the two were former teammates before Murphy's offseason transfer to Auburn.

The details

Hubbard erupted for 35 first-half points, hitting 9 three-pointers to give Mississippi State a 49-33 halftime lead. Auburn rallied in the second half, taking a 64-63 lead on a put-back by Murphy. But Mississippi State answered with an 18-5 closing run, capped by Hubbard's 10th three-pointer to give the Bulldogs an 85-83 lead they would not relinquish.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.
  • Hubbard set the Mississippi State record for most points scored in an SEC game.

The players

Josh Hubbard

A junior guard for Mississippi State who scored a career-high 46 points, including a program-record 10 three-pointers, to lead the Bulldogs to victory.

KeShawn Murphy

A former Mississippi State player who transferred to Auburn in the offseason and scored 7 points with 11 rebounds in his return to Starkville.

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What they’re saying

“YOU DON'T LEAVE STATE!”

— Josh Hubbard

What’s next

The win pushes Mississippi State to 13-13 overall and 5-8 in SEC play, providing momentum for their conference push in the weeks ahead.

The takeaway

Hubbard's historic performance and the late-game drama between the former teammates highlight the intensity of SEC basketball rivalries and the importance of this conference win for Mississippi State.