Mississippi State seeks to bounce back from a poor defensive showing when it battles New Mexico on Friday night in the consolation game of the Hall of Fame Classic at Kansas City, Mo.
The Bulldogs (2-2) had no answer for Kansas State star PJ Haggerty while falling 98-77 in Thursday’s first round. Haggerty scored 37 points on 13-of-21 shooting to lead the Wildcats into Friday’s championship game against Nebraska.
“We just weren’t the better team, that’s the bottom line,” Mississippi State coach Chris Jans said afterward. “They were better than us. We didn’t play well enough for long enough spurts. We had our moments, we had our stretches where it looked like what we needed to play like.”
The Bulldogs also were gouged in their other loss this season when Iowa State produced a 96-80 victory on a neutral floor in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Mississippi State star Josh Hubbard scored 23 points against the Wildcats for his third 20-point effort of the season. He leads the Bulldogs with a 22.5 average.
Jayden Epps made four 3-pointers and scored 18 points off the bench for Mississippi State.
Jans is hopeful of a better effort against the Lobos.
“My message for them is, as bad as you feel right now it will feel worse if this happens (Friday),” Jans said. “We have to pick ourselves off the mat.”
The Lobos (3-2) have lost two straight games after falling 84-72 to Nebraska on Thursday night.
New Mexico trailed by 18 at halftime to sabotage its chances of reaching the title game.
“They got off to a really good start offensively and we dug ourselves a hole,” Lobos coach Eric Olen said. “I appreciated the way our guys responded at the half to make a run and make it a game in the second half. It just wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.”
Freshman Jake Hall had season bests of 20 points and six 3-pointers for the Lobos. He leads the squad in scoring (12.8) and 3-pointers (12).
New Mexico attempted a school-record 44 treys but only made 13 for a lackluster 29.5%.
Lobos guard Deyton Albury was ejected with 1:38 left in the first half for punching Nebraska’s Connor Essegian in the back of the head.
“Regardless of what led to my selfish decision, I put myself before the team during a time when I needed to demonstrate composure and leadership,” Albury said while apologizing on social media. “My actions are not a reflection of our players, coaches or the UNM basketball program.”
Albury had three points in 13 minutes before his departure. He ranks third on the team with a 10.5 average.
The Lobos and Bulldogs will be meeting for the first time.
–Field Level Media
