Mississippi State Dominates Vanderbilt in 76-64 Victory
Mississippi State continues to prove they are a legitimate contender this season under head coach Chris Jans. The Bulldogs earned their second SEC win of the year on Tuesday, defeating Vanderbilt 76-64. Key performances, including RJ Melendez’s season-high 19 points, combined with Vanderbilt’s struggles to score (shooting 35.5 percent from the field), were pivotal in securing the victory.
Confidence on the Road
The Bulldogs entered Nashville with confidence, and for good reason. Ranked No. 14, Mississippi State has been impressive this season, defeating Pittsburgh with ease, silencing the Memphis Tigers on the road, and dominating South Carolina in their SEC opener. That confidence is essential as the team looks to continue its strong SEC play in the coming weeks. In a competitive conference like the SEC, if a team isn’t clicking, it can quickly turn into a long night.
In the first half, Mississippi State shot 48 percent from the field and remained perfect at the free-throw line. The Bulldogs moved the ball well, executing Chris Jans' offense efficiently. Down the stretch, the team's grit and defensive effort stood out. Cameron Matthews led the charge with 10 points and a +7 rating, while Melendez contributed 9 points in just 17 minutes.
Vanderbilt’s Late Push Falls Short
Vanderbilt fought back in the second half, with AJ Hoggard scoring 13 points and Jaylen Carey adding 7. The Commodores closed the gap to just five points late in the game, but Mississippi State held firm, securing their eighth consecutive win of the season.
Jans once again showed his ability to prepare his team for road challenges. The Bulldogs are now one of only three SEC teams to secure a road win this season, which is particularly impressive given the recent struggles of other SEC teams like Tennessee and LSU.
Jans shared his thoughts about Mississippi State being one of three teams to win an SEC game on the road.
“It took all 40 [minutes]. We had a comfortable lead. But, like everyone in this league, nobody will go away. We certainly talked about that coming into the game. They’re very physical on the ball, and it was hard to create angles on a lot of possessions,” said Jans.
Matthews’ Leadership and Melendez’s Sharpshooting
Matthews’ leadership has been crucial for the Bulldogs this season. Known for his clutch plays, whether taking a charge or blocking a shot, Matthews is averaging 8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and shooting 61.8 percent from the field.
Matthews shared how tough it is to win on the road during SEC play.
“I mean, you see it on the internet all the time, this is the best conference in the country. From top-to-bottom, you’ve got really great coaches and great players. It’s going to be a dog fight against every team on every night,” said Matthews.
Melendez, who has been a key contributor as a sharpshooter, is helping open up the floor for Mississippi State’s offense. He is averaging 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and shooting 49 percent from the field. His ability to stretch the defense has allowed the Bulldogs to score more efficiently in the paint.
Melendez expressed the teams emotions for Saturday’s home game against Kentucky especially in front of a sold out crowd.
“We’re super excited to get back to the Hump and play in-front of a packed house. We’ve just got to go out there and best our play to defend the Hump,” said Melendez.
The Bulldogs return home to face Kentucky on Saturday, Jan. 11, at 7:30 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on the SEC Network, and Mississippi State will be looking to continue their strong play in front of a sold-out crowd in Starkville.
