Who stepped up at Mississippi State for the Crimson Tide on The Joe Gaither Show | Episode 363: Jan. 30, 2025.

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Chris Youngblood had a season-high 23 points, including two free throws with 10.9 seconds remaining, to lead No. 4 Alabama to an 88-84 win over No. 14 Mississippi State on Wednesday night. Youngblood made a career-best seven 3 pointers while Alabama made 15 of 31 from beyond the arc.

Mark Sears leads Alabama with 18.1 points nearly five assists per game. Josh Hubbard leads Mississippi State with 16.3 points per game forwards KeShawn Murphy and Cameron Matthews both average seven rebounds per game.

Alabama made 15 3-pointers on Wednesday night in Starkville to pick up a close win over Mississippi State in a top-15 SEC showdown.

A pair of SEC squads ranked in the top 15 face off for their first of two regular season meetings on Wednesday, Jan. 29 when the No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide visit the No. 14 Mississippi State Bulldogs at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville, Miss.

Mississippi State basketball coach Chris Jans said his message to KeShawn Murphy after the missed layup in the loss to Alabama: "This ain't on you."

Mark Sears was benched over the weekend against LSU, but he bounced back nicely against Mississippi State.

On Wednesday night, a SEC matchup with a lengthy history will officially be renewed once again, as the Alabama Crimson Tide travel west to Starkville, Mississippi for a Top 25 showdown with the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

The No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide (17-3, 6-1 SEC) and the No. 13 Mississippi State Bulldogs (16-4, 4-3) meet Wednesday at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville, Miss. Tip-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET (SEC Network).

Alabama guard Chris Youngblood led the the Crimson Tide past the Bulldogs 88-84 in front of a hostile Starkville crowd.

Alabama was able to escape Starkville with a hair-raising victory over Mississippi State. Check out the photo gallery!