In a thrilling overtime showdown, No. 15 Mississippi State emerged victorious over No. 21 Ole Miss with a final score of 84-81. Riley Kugel led the Bulldogs with 21 points, followed by Keshawn Murphy who added 18 points and 11 rebounds. RJ Melendez also contributed with 12 points, Cameron Matthews had 10 points and 11 rebounds, and Josh Hubbard scored 10 for Mississippi State. On the Rebel’s side, Jaemyn Brakefield scored 20 points, Sean Pedulla had 18, Matthew Murrell contributed 15 points, and Jaylen Murray scored 10 points.
The game was a back-and-forth battle with both teams fighting hard until the very end. Pedulla’s free throw gave Ole Miss a one-point lead in overtime before Kugel’s 3-pointer put the Bulldogs ahead. With Melendez and Murphy also making key plays, Mississippi State managed to secure the win. The game was tied multiple times, with Murrell’s 3-pointer sending it into overtime.
Mississippi State’s strong start saw them take an early lead, with Ole Miss struggling to catch up. Ultimately, it was Kugel’s standout performance and the team’s resilience that sealed the victory. The intense showdown between these two SEC rivals kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer. Mississippi State’s win improves their record to 15-3, while Ole Miss falls to 15-3 on the season.
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