Auburn
Miss State
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (03/10/2026) — A blistering second-half shooting display propelled the Auburn Tigers to a dominant 79-61 victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Bridgestone Arena. After trailing at halftime, Auburn exploded offensively, outscoring Mississippi State 49-28 in the final 20 minutes to secure the tournament win.
Guard Kevin Overton led the charge with a game-high 22 points, orchestrating a second-half run that erased the Bulldogs' lead and left them searching for answers. The Tigers controlled the glass with a 43-39 rebounding advantage and protected the ball, committing only seven turnovers compared to Mississippi State's 11.
How It Happened
The game began as a tightly contested affair, with neither team establishing a significant advantage early. KeShawn Murphy started strong for Auburn, hitting a dunk and a 25-foot three-pointer to give the Tigers an early 7-2 lead. The Bulldogs battled back, with guard Josh Hubbard connecting on a deep three-pointer at the 10:36 mark to tie the game at 17-17.
Mississippi State then seized momentum. A driving layup from Jayden Epps gave the Bulldogs their first lead at 23-22, which they extended with another Epps three-pointer and a Hubbard jumper. When Hubbard sank a 24-footer with 3:13 left in the half, Mississippi State held its largest lead at 31-23. Auburn's Tahaad Pettiford hit a crucial three-pointer just before the buzzer, cutting the Bulldogs' halftime advantage to 33-30.
Mississippi State opened the second half with a quick 5-0 burst, as a layup from Quincy Ballard and a three from Epps pushed the lead to 38-30. That, however, would be the Bulldogs' high-water mark. Auburn's offense ignited from beyond the arc, flipping the game on its head.
Turning Point
The game's decisive sequence began with 15:53 remaining in the second half. Trailing 40-38, Auburn's Kevin Overton drained a 23-foot three-pointer, giving the Tigers a one-point lead they would never relinquish. On the very next possession, Overton struck again from 25 feet out, pushing the score to 44-40.
This was the beginning of a massive 13-0 run for the Tigers, capped by yet another Overton three-pointer from 27 feet at the 13:13 mark. In just over two and a half minutes, a 40-38 deficit had become a commanding 51-40 Auburn lead. Mississippi State's offense went cold during this stretch, unable to match the Tigers' sudden and overwhelming perimeter attack. The run completely altered the game's trajectory, putting Auburn firmly in control for the remainder of the contest.
Star of the Game
Kevin Overton was the undisputed catalyst for the Auburn Tigers. The guard finished with a stellar line of 22 points, four rebounds, and five assists. His performance was defined by his second-half takeover, where he repeatedly found the range from deep. He scored 15 of his 22 points in the second half, hitting a series of clutch three-pointers that fueled Auburn’s game-changing run. His efficiency and leadership were instrumental in turning a halftime deficit into a comfortable victory.
For Mississippi State, Josh Hubbard was a bright spot in the loss, leading the Bulldogs with 22 points and dishing out three assists. Jayden Epps also contributed 14 points and four rebounds.
What It Means
The victory advances the Auburn Tigers in the SEC Tournament, showcasing their offensive firepower and ability to make dramatic in-game adjustments. With balanced scoring—four players reached double figures—and strong defense in the second half, Auburn looks like a formidable opponent moving forward.
For the Mississippi State Bulldogs, the loss is a tough conclusion to their tournament run. After controlling the first half with solid defense and timely shooting, they were unable to contain Auburn's perimeter assault in the second. The Bulldogs' offense struggled to find a rhythm against the Tigers' resurgent defense, shooting just 39% from the field and 26% from three-point range for the game.