Nashville, Tenn. – In a stunning upset, the Mississippi State Bulldogs secured a decisive 73-56 victory over the fifth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers in the Southeastern Conference tournament quarterfinals. Cameron Matthews and Josh Hubbard led the charge with 18 points each, propelling the ninth-seeded Bulldogs to a remarkable win.
This win not only solidified Mississippi State’s spot in the NCAA tournament but also marked their second triumph over top-seeded Tennessee this season. With a record of 21-12, the Bulldogs are now set to face off against the winner of the South Carolina-Auburn matchup in the upcoming semifinals – their first appearance in this stage since their 2009 championship victory.
Throughout the game, the Bulldogs maintained a commanding lead, never once trailing against the SEC’s top seed. Tennessee, led by standout player Dalton Knecht, struggled to keep up as Mississippi State’s strong defense limited Knecht to just 14 points – well below his typical performance in league play.
On the other hand, the Volunteers, with a record of 24-8, suffered a devastating blow to their hopes of securing a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament – a first in the program’s history. This loss marked the second consecutive year that Tennessee exited the SEC tournament in the quarterfinals.
Despite Tennessee’s valiant efforts, including standout performances by Zakai Zeigler and Jahmai Mashack, the Volunteers fell short against a relentless Mississippi State squad. The Bulldogs’ exceptional shooting performance, boasting a 62.5% field goal percentage, left the Volunteers struggling to find their rhythm and capitalize on scoring opportunities.
As Mississippi State continued to extend their lead in the second half, even a late rally by the Vols was quashed by key plays from players like D.J. Jeffries. Ultimately, the Bulldogs’ dominant performance on both ends of the court proved too much for Tennessee to overcome.
Looking ahead, Mississippi State will face off against South Carolina, a team that previously claimed victory over them in the regular season finale. With a history of close matchups against Auburn, the Bulldogs are poised for an intense battle as they aim to advance further in the tournament.