Jackson State Stuns Tulane 87-85 in New Orleans
Jackson State rallied from a 15-point deficit to beat Tulane on a late free throw, despite Tulane's pregame win probability of 72.7%.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Basketball
Jackson State defeated Tulane 87-85 at Avron B. Fogelman Arena in New Orleans on Thursday night. The Tigers overcame a 15-point deficit, with Daeshun Ruffin's two free throws with 1.6 seconds left breaking an 85-85 tie.
Why it matters
The result went against Tulane's pregame odds, with BetMGM giving the Green Wave a 72.7% chance to win and a 66.1% chance to cover the spread. It was also Trey Johnson's first win as Jackson State's head coach.
Dorian McMillian led Jackson State with 23 points and seven rebounds, while Mike Williams scored 20 points off the bench on 7-of-12 shooting and 4-of-4 from three. Jackson State shot 46.8% from the field and 37.5% from three-point range, converting 17 Tulane turnovers into 18 points.
The players
Jackson State Tigers
The Jackson State University men's basketball program, a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, competes in NCAA Division I.
Tulane Green Wave
The Tulane University men's basketball program, a member of the American Athletic Conference, plays home games in New Orleans.
Trey Johnson
Johnson is a basketball coach who earned his first win as Jackson State's head coach in this game.
Dorian McMillian
McMillian is a Jackson State guard who led the team with 23 points and seven rebounds.
The details
With the score tied at 85, Tulane gained possession after a missed Jackson State three-pointer in the final seconds. Tulane requested a timeout despite having none left, and officials assessed an administrative technical foul before Ruffin's free throws decided the game.
Timeline
Thursday, November 5, 2026: Jackson State defeats Tulane 87-85 in New Orleans.
Monday: Jackson State plays at Mississippi State in Starkville.
Season Trajectory
The upset by a Southwestern Athletic Conference team over an American Athletic Conference opponent in New Orleans reflects how mid-major programs can overturn heavy pregame favorites. It also gives Jackson State early momentum under a first-year head coach ahead of its next road test.
Jackson State's win improves its standing ahead of Monday's road game at Mississippi State, a result that matters for conference positioning. Fantasy managers tracking Dorian McMillian and Mike Williams should note their scoring output in this matchup.
The takeaway
Upsets like this one remind readers that pregame win probabilities, even high ones, leave real room for outcomes that go the other way. Tracking late-game possession and officiating details can explain results that the final score alone does not.
What happens next
Jackson State is scheduled to play at Mississippi State in Starkville on Monday.
Further reading
For more on college hoops around the country, see our Basketball coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by HBCU Gameday.
