Charleston Cougars triumph over Towson Tigers in thrilling 77-69 victory

On January 4, 2025, in Starkville, Mississippi, the No. 17 Mississippi State basketball team achieved a commanding victory over South Carolina, finishing the game at 85-50. This match marked the start of SEC play for both teams, and it was a showcase of Mississippi State's strong offensive strategy and defensive prowess. The Bulldogs took control early in the game, establishing a significant lead with a 15-2 run. They limited the Gamecocks' scoring, particularly in the first half, only allowing 18 points, the lowest point total for a half in SEC play under coach Chris Jans. Mississippi State's scoring was led by Josh Hubbard, who tallied 21 points, and Claudell Harris, who added 17 points along with nine rebounds. In addition to these standout performances, Riley Kugel and KeShawn Murphy contributed by scoring 12 points each, with Murphy also securing eight rebounds and four blocked shots. The Bulldogs displayed a remarkable shooting percentage, hitting 56% of their shots from the field, which underscored their offensive effectiveness during the game. This victory was particularly significant for coach Chris Jans, as it marked his first SEC opener win during his tenure at Mississippi State. On the other hand, South Carolina struggled throughout the match. Zachary Davis was the top scorer for the Gamecocks, scoring 22 points, but the team overall shot only 29% from the field and committed 14 turnovers. Their poor shooting performance especially shined through in the three-point department, where they managed just two successful shots out of 19 attempts. This defeat halted South Carolina's previous eight-game winning streak and represented a disappointing start to their SEC season. Following this match, South Carolina will look to bounce back against Alabama in their SEC home opener, while Mississippi State will turn their focus toward their upcoming road game against Vanderbilt. This impressive victory reinforces Mississippi State's status as a formidable team early in the conference season, as they aim for aspirations and momentum moving forward in their campaign.