KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Interstat) — In a back-and-forth battle that came down to the final seconds, the New Mexico Lobos edged the Mississippi State Bulldogs 80-78 in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Friday night at T-Mobile Center.

The contest was a tale of remarkable consistency, with both teams playing nearly identical halves. New Mexico scored 40 points in the first half and another 40 in the second. Mississippi State mirrored that stability, posting 39 points in each period, but the two-point first-half deficit ultimately proved decisive.

The game was a showcase for the backcourts, with Mississippi State’s guards putting on an offensive clinic. Josh Hubbard, a sophomore from Madison, Mississippi, led all scorers with a spectacular 29-point performance. He added four assists and a block in 36 minutes of action, proving to be a constant threat from beyond the arc and in transition.

He was complemented masterfully by backcourt mate Jayden Epps, who poured in 21 points and dished out a game-high six assists over 34 minutes. The duo’s 50 combined points kept the Bulldogs within striking distance throughout the night.

However, New Mexico countered with a more balanced and efficient offensive attack, particularly from its frontcourt. Tomislav Buljan, a 6-foot-9 forward from Split, Croatia, was a force for the Lobos, tallying 19 points and showcasing a relentless effort on the glass. His activity on both ends of the floor provided a critical counterpoint to Mississippi State’s guard-oriented offense.

The Lobos also received key contributions from their guards. Uriah Tenette scored 13 points and distributed three assists, while Deyton Albury also chipped in 13 points, including a crucial late-game layup. Antonio Chol provided a significant spark with 12 points, and the Lobos shared the ball effectively, with Chris Howell and Luke Haupt each contributing three assists.

The game’s opening moments set a physical tone. New Mexico’s Buljan scored the first points of the game on free throws after drawing a foul just 23 seconds in. Mississippi State responded immediately with a trio of three-pointers, two from Hubbard and one from Epps, to seize an early 9-2 lead.

New Mexico weathered the early storm and methodically worked its way back into the game, relying on inside scoring and second-chance opportunities. The first half featured seven ties and five lead changes, with neither team able to build a substantial advantage. A late tip-in by Mississippi State’s Jamarion Davis-Fleming just before the halftime buzzer sent the Bulldogs into the locker room trailing by a single point, 40-39.

The second half continued the nail-biting trend. Mississippi State briefly took a 55-50 lead midway through the period after a Hubbard three-pointer, but New Mexico answered with a 7-0 run to reclaim the lead, a sequence capped by a Jake Hall three-pointer.

The final minutes were a frantic exchange. With New Mexico leading 77-75, Hubbard hit a difficult floating jumper to tie the game with under 50 seconds remaining. On the ensuing possession, New Mexico’s Chris Howell came up with a critical steal, leading to a transition layup by Albury that put the Lobos back ahead 79-77 with 30 seconds left.

Mississippi State had a chance to tie or take the lead, but Hubbard turned the ball over again under defensive pressure from Howell with 13 seconds remaining. The Bulldogs were forced to foul, sending Tenette to the line with seven seconds left. He made the first free throw to extend the lead to three but missed the second, leaving the door open for Mississippi State.

Epps was fouled on a three-point attempt with three seconds on the clock, giving the Bulldogs a chance to tie. He made the first free throw but missed the second intentionally. The miss was corralled by New Mexico’s Buljan, who secured the victory for the Lobos.

With the win, New Mexico improves its season record to 4-2, while Mississippi State falls to 2-3. The Lobos will look to build on the momentum when they host Alabama State on Wednesday. Mississippi State, seeking to get back to .500, returns home to face New Orleans on Monday.