Mississippi State basketball: Ben Howland’s Bulldogs fall on road in SEC opener
By Ethan Lee
The 14th ranked Mississippi State basketball team may not remain at No. 14 for very long after an embarrassing loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks.
SEC play didn’t start out the way that anyone really hoped it would for Ben Howland and his Mississippi State basketball team. The No. 14 Bulldogs (12-2 overall, 0-1 SEC) traveled up to Columbia, South Carolina in hopes of claiming a conference win and came back to Starkville after falling on the road in overtime, losing to the Gamecocks (7-7 overall, 2-0 SEC) 87-82.
The Mississippi State basketball team was completely unable to keep up with the Gamecocks as South Carolina, unfortunately, successfully defended its home court.
The Bulldogs didn’t have any issues knocking down shots throughout this game though. Howland’s Mississippi State basketball team, on offense, actually played a pretty great game. The Bulldogs hit 29 of its 64 shot attempts (45.3 percent) and 11 of their 25 three point attempts (44 percent).
However, Mississippi State was completely inept at the free throw line and, aside from the Bulldogs’ defensive issues, this is what really cost MSU tonight. State only made 13 of its free throws.
The Bulldogs had 23 attempts.
That makes for a very mediocre 56.5 free throw percentage. On the road in SEC play, that’s completely and totally unacceptable if you’re aiming for a win.
Mississippi State also turned the ball over 16 times while the Gamecocks had 12 turnovers. That discrepancy worked in South Carolina’s favor. On the boards, MSU only had 37 rebounds while South Carolina had 42.
More than likely though, the Bulldogs won’t be defined by this loss. Mississippi State will have more than enough time to regain ground and improve its resume heading into the NCAA Tournament.
All stats via NCAA.com
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That said, this loss should not have happened. The Bulldogs ere the better team and they should have come out on top tonight. But, well, the Gamecocks won. Now, Howland and his team have to find a way to get moving forward yet again.