Atlanta, GA – Mississippi State imposed its rhythm and physical play in an 85–73 road win over Georgia Tech on Wednesday night, relying on Josh Hubbard’s calm scoring bursts, Quincy Ballard’s inside presence, and timely outside shooting to control a game the Bulldogs led for the final 32 minutes. Georgia Tech’s early energy came primarily from Kowacie Reeves Jr., who scored a career-high 23 points on 8-of-20 shooting, including a strong 7-of-14 from three-point range. However, the rest of the Yellow Jackets shot just 18-of-57 from the field and 1-of-16 from deep, a disparity that defined the night.
Reeves opened the game with the smooth mechanics and balanced attacking he has shown all season, knocking down two early threes to help Georgia Tech take a 9–2 lead. His ability to shoot cleanly off movement, maintain consistent form, and make quick decisions off screens provided the Jackets with their most dependable source of offense. Mississippi State responded quickly. Hubbard’s composed ball handling, even as a streaky shooter, allowed the Bulldogs to settle into their preferred pace. He never rushed, skillfully navigating switches and pressure to guide Mississippi State through the early stretch.
The Bulldogs took their first lead at 15–13 during a run in which they scored 13 of the next 16 points, capitalizing on Georgia Tech’s cold spells and struggles finishing around the rim. Ballard’s long reach altered multiple shots, forcing the Jackets into difficult one-handed finishes — an area where Reeves, despite his scoring, can still be limited — and rushed floaters from his teammates. By the second media timeout, Mississippi State held a rebounding advantage and began controlling the paint, widening the margin as Georgia Tech’s efficiency sharply dropped.
Reeves continued to score through sharp cuts, relocations, and confident pull-up jumpers, but the Jackets struggled to find consistent help. Akai Fleming, who can pressure the rim with his strong frame, added 12 points but struggled as a perimeter shooter, allowing Mississippi State to sag and clog driving lanes. Baye Ndongo and Mouhamed Sylla each contributed 12, with Ndongo’s effort on the glass momentarily helping narrow the rebounding gap. Still, Tech never fully recovered from its long scoreless stretches.
Mississippi State entered halftime leading 37–28, buoyed by balanced contributions from Jayden Epps, Brandon Walker, and Jamarion Davis-Fleming. Their physical drives and timely cuts added needed scoring. Hubbard remained patient throughout, rarely forcing shots and maintaining control of the offense even when the Bulldogs weren’t shooting well from outside.
The Bulldogs opened the second half with a quick five points, increasing their lead to 16. Georgia Tech answered with its best stretch of the night — a 21–11 run sparked by Reeves’ continued perimeter accuracy and Ndongo’s hustle — trimming the deficit to 55–49 with 11 minutes remaining. For a moment, Tech’s energy, the crowd’s engagement, and Reeves’ shot-making created the sense that momentum might shift.
Hubbard quickly put that notion to rest. From the 55–49 mark, he scored nine straight points, showcasing the scoring ability that complements his steady floor leadership. He sank two threes and completed a three-point play to push the lead back to 66–51, and Georgia Tech never drew within single digits again.
Mississippi State maintained control of the paint, dominated the boards, and kept Georgia Tech’s non-Reeves shooters off balance. Hubbard finished with 25 points, while Epps, Walker, and Davis-Fleming each contributed in double figures. Ballard’s shot-blocking remained central, influencing Tech’s shot attempts far beyond the box score.
Georgia Tech, now 5–4, received 12 points each from Fleming, Ndongo, and Sylla, but their 1-of-16 shooting from deep outside of Reeves proved too great an obstacle to overcome. Despite Reeves’ strong performance and game-high nine rebounds, Tech’s offensive struggles and Mississippi State’s disciplined execution secured an 85–73 victory for the Bulldogs.
This article was written by Courtney Chappelle, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.
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