AUSTIN (KXAN) — Josh Hubbard delivered a career-high performance with 38 points, leading Mississippi State to an overtime victory over Texas with a final score of 101-98 on the opening night of Southeastern Conference men’s basketball play at Moody Center. The game took place on Saturday, marking a thrilling start to the season for both teams.

Dailyn Swain was the standout for the Longhorns, recording career highs with 34 points and 14 rebounds. However, he fouled out with 1:42 remaining in regulation. Swain shot 10-for-18 from the field and 12-for-15 from the free-throw line. Texas head coach Sean Miller praised Swain’s performance, stating that it was the best he had seen him play, even during his time at Xavier.

“I thought he was outstanding,” Miller said. “Not perfect, but clearly we would not have been in a position to win had it not been for his outstanding play. It hurt us a bit when he fouled out.”

Texas held a 86-79 lead after Swain completed a 3-point play with 2:17 left, but that was the last scoring burst for the Longhorns in the second half. Hubbard responded with a transition 3-pointer to bring the Bulldogs within two points, 86-84, with 1:02 remaining. Then, Brandon Walker tied the game at 86-86 with 0:17 left by putting back a missed shot.

Key Moments in the Game

• Late Game Adjustments: After Swain fouled out, the Longhorns struggled to maintain their lead. Hubbard led the Bulldogs in the overtime period, scoring 10 points. He hit two free throws with 0:06 left to give Mississippi State a 101-98 lead.
• Final Play: Simeon Wilcher attempted a 3-point shot at the buzzer, but it hit the front of the rim, sealing the victory for the Bulldogs.
• Hubbard’s Performance: Despite needing 31 shots from the field to reach his career high, Hubbard was efficient from the free-throw line, going 12-for-15. He also made 6-of-17 three-pointers.

Other notable performances included:

• Jayden Epps scored 27 points, shooting 9-for-21 from the field.
• Achor Achor recorded a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

The game saw a high number of fouls, with both teams combining for 52 total fouls and 71 free-throw attempts. Mississippi State committed 28 fouls, while Texas had 24. Miller expressed concern about the team’s defensive discipline, pointing out that fouling key shooters was a major factor in the loss.

Defensive Challenges

Miller highlighted specific moments where the Longhorns’ defense faltered:

• “There were a couple of times late in the clock, and it was going to be a tough two, he might make it, but you don’t have to reach in and hit him on the head or the arm,” Miller said. “We fouled four shooters, and it’s never good when you foul a 3-point shooter, and we did that three or four times tonight. It’s tough to win when you foul like we did.”

Mississippi State outrebounded Texas 47-39, including 19-12 on the offensive glass. Miller credited the Bulldogs’ toughness in securing key rebounds and loose balls, which proved decisive in the outcome.

Other Players

• Tramon Mark contributed 20 points for the Longhorns.
• Matas Vokietaitis was a strong presence at the free-throw line, making 13-of-18 attempts for 19 points.

Upcoming Games

Texas (9-5, 0-1 SEC) will face former head coach Rick Barnes and the Tennessee Volunteers at 8 p.m. CT on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Mississippi State (9-5, 1-0) will host Oklahoma at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

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