Melendez makes 2 late free throws, No. 25 Mississippi State beats McNeese State 66-63
Mississippi State forward RJ Melendez (22) shoots against McNeese State during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Tupelo, Miss., Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. Mississippi State won 66-63. Credit: AP/Bruce Newman
TUPELO, Miss. — RJ Melendez had a season-high 18 points and Josh Hubbard added 16 to lead No. 25 Mississippi State to a 66-63 win over McNeese State in a neutral-site game on Saturday.
Melendez made two free throws with nine seconds remaining in regulation to give Mississippi State (9-1) a 66-61 lead that it held on to.
Joe Charles led McNeese State (5-5) with 19 points while Sincere Parker finished with 16. Javohn Garcia and Brandon Murray each added 10 points for the Cowboys.
Both teams struggled offensively in the first half. McNeese State initially found more success and took a 24-16 lead after a Charles 3-pointer with 3:42 left in the half. But thanks to a pair of 3-pointers from both Hubbard and Claudell Harris, the Bulldogs closed the half on a 13-5 run and it was tied at 29 at halftime.
Takeaways
McNeese State: With the loss, the Cowboys now have more losses (5) this season than they had all of last season. McNeese State finished 30-4 a year ago in its first season under head coach Will Wade.
Mississippi State: For the second straight game, Mississippi State survived a lackluster showing. The Bulldogs barely escaped Prairie View A&M in a 91-84 win on Sunday.
Key moment
The Bulldogs trailed 58-55 with 5:29 left in the second half but used a 7-0 run to grab the lead for good.
Mississippi State forward RJ Melendez (22) brings the ball up court as McNeese State guard Javohn Garcia (6) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Tupelo, Miss., Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. Credit: AP/Bruce Newman
Key stat
The Bulldogs outscored McNeese State 20-5 in points off turnovers.
Up next
McNeese State travels to Louisiana-Lafayette on Sunday, Dec. 22, and Mississippi State faces Central Michigan on Tuesday in Jackson, Mississippi.
