Bulldogs Earn Share Of SEC West Crown With 89-78 Victory Over AU
Senior Charles Rhodes recorded a career-high 30 points Wednesday evening to help Mississippi State (19-8, 10-3 Southeastern Conference) secure at least a share of its fourth SEC Western Division title in the past six years with a 89-78 triumph over the visiting Auburn Tigers (14-12, 4-9).
Tonight’s defeat of the Tigers marked the 13th win in the past 15 meetings of the teams for Mississippi State.
Rhodes hit 11-of-14 shots from the floor, including a made three-pointer on his lone attempt from long range, and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Bulldogs to victory. All-America candidate Jamont Gordon added 20 points on a 4-of-8 effort from behind the arc, claimed four rebounds, and handed out six assists while America’s current block leader, Jarvis Varnado, swatted four shots, scored 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting, and notched nine boards.
Sophomore shooters Ben Hansbrough and Barry Stewart each contributed 11 points. As a team, MSU hit 60.0% from the field, a new season standard.
Senior forward Quan Prowell excelled in the Tiger loss, scoring 20 points by halftime and ending the contest with a game- and career-high 31 points on a 7-of-10 mark from three-point range to go along with eight rebounds. Sophomore forward Lucas Hargrove claimed a career-high 10 rebounds and added 11 points to record his first career double-double.
The first half was marked by excellent shooting and defense from MSU, though the Bulldogs gave the ball up several times, holding just a 42-35 halftime advantage.
As the Tigers clawed back and shrunk the State lead to just 51-48 at the 13:28 mark of the second period, the Bulldogs responded with bite to score eight straight points on consecutive three-pointers from Hansbrough and Gordon to push the lead back to 59-48. The MSU advantage hovered around 10 for the remainder of the game, as Rhodes drained his lone attempted three-pointer with 40 seconds to go to push the lead to 89-72.
With Arkansas’ loss on the road at Alabama Wednesday night, State is guaranteed at least a share of this year’s Western Division crown.
MSU has also now posted wins in 12-straight games hosted in the Humphrey Coliseum versus SEC West opponents. Currently owning 10 wins in the SEC with three games remaining , State has posted double-digit conference wins for the first time in four years.
State now travels to Gainesville, Fla., to face the Florida Gators this Saturday, March 1. The 3 p.m. CT tipoff will be televised by CBS.
