UNCASVILLE, Conn. — Freshman Josh Hubbard put up a career-high 29 points to help Mississippi State pull away from Northwestern 66-57 in the championship game of the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament on Sunday at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Hubbard hit 4 of 8 behind the 3-point arc and was 7 of 7 from the free-throw line. He has scored in double figures in his last four games.
After Brooks Barnhizer hit a 3 to put Northwestern in front 48-47 with seven minutes left, Hubbard took over, feeding Cameron Matthews and Jimmy Bell Jr. for layups, then knocking down a 3 to put the Bulldogs up 54-48. Over the closing stretch Hubbard scored 11 points, going 4-for-4 from the line.
Dashawn Davis scored 11 points and D.J. Jeffries pulled down 10 rebounds for the Bulldogs (5-0), who shot 23 of 49 from the field (46.9%), including 8 of 22 from distance (36.4%).
Ty Berry scored 14 points to lead Northwestern (4-1). Barnhizer and Ryan Langborg each had 13 points, and Langborg added four assists.
Mississippi State plays host to Nicholls on Friday. Northwestern plays Northern Illinois on Nov. 27.