The Southern Jaguars pulled off a miracle upset against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, the #21 team in the entire country. The Jaguars visited Mississippi State while on a five-game skid, and many expected the losing streak to continue. The Bulldogs were expected to win by at least 25 points, according to odds set by ESPN Bet. Although Southern matched up against a Power 5 school with a 6-1 record, the Jaguars remained unfazed.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead to start the game. It took the Jaguars a little over four minutes to get their first field goal – a layup from Tai'Reon Joseph. A few minutes later, another Joseph layup gave Southern their first lead of the game. Mississippi State eventually reclaimed the lead, but the two teams jockeyed for an advantage throughout the first half. The Bulldogs held the lead longer, but their opponent never fell far behind. Mississippi State went into the half time break with a meager 31-28 lead over the 1-6 Southern Jaguars.

In many situations like this, an impassioned half time speech from a coach or a team leader usually fires up the superior team. They come out of the gates with a renewed vigor while the lesser team can't help but watch.

That was not the case in this game. Although the Bulldogs built an eight-point lead after a 7-0 run in the start of the second half, the Jaguars continued to stick around. They never let the lead get as big as twelve points before cutting into it; a sizable deficit, but not impossible to overcome, especially with the three-point shot. As Mississippi State took a controlling 57-45 lead with six minutes to go, the Jaguars ripped off a 15-2 run to close the game. The Bulldogs' last points came from a dunk by D.J. Jeffries. After the slam, they went the remaining four minutes and 28 seconds without a basket.

With 23 seconds to go, Jaguar Brandon Davis made a layup to take the 60-59 lead. Mississippi State had two chances to win the game, but they missed both opportunities, even after drawing up a play during a timeout.

The Mississippi State Bulldogs really struggled to find scoring from their starters, especially down the stretch of the game. Josh Hubbard came off the bench and led the team with 14 points, including three three-pointers. Cameron Matthews led the starters with 12 points, four rebounds, and four steals. Dashawn Davis added nine points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals, but no other Bulldog besides Matthews and Hubbard scored in double figures.

Meanwhile, Tai'Reon Joseph did everything for the Souther Jaguars. He played all 40 minutes and made 11 of his 21 shot attempts for 27 points, six rebounds, and three steals. Brandon Davis helped out with 12 points, four rebounds, and two steals.

The Jaguars hope to carry the momentum after a victory against an SEC team into their next game against the Southeastern Louisiana Lions.