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Mississippi State Basketball: Bulldogs sputter in 61-45 loss to Arkansas

BySpencer Wright|
Jan 2, 2021; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Ben Howland reacts against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half at Humphrey Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2021; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Ben Howland reacts against the Kentucky Wildcats during the first half at Humphrey Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Mississippi State Basketball: Mississippi State 45, Arkansas 61

Mississippi State (10-9, 4-6 SEC) saw an early double-digit lead erased in a disappointing 61-45 loss to Arkansas (14-5, 6-4 SEC) at Bud Walton Arena Tuesday night. The Bulldogs‘ offensive woes were in full effect, and it was the third time this season that they haven’t eclipsed the 50-point mark.

Scoring baskets were hard to come by for both teams in the first half, with Mississippi State leading just 6-2 at the under-12 media timeout. MSU extended its lead out to a dozen after Jalen Johnson‘s three put State up 14-2.

It was Arkansas’s night from then on out, going on a 26-6 run to take control late in the first half. Abdul Ado‘s dunk to end the half stopped the Razorbacks’ run, but Arkansas took a 28-22 lead into halftime.

DJ Stewart got the scoring started in the second half with a jumper, but a 10-0 run by the Hogs extended their lead to 38-24. However, Mississippi State battled back and got within five after Derek Fountain‘s corner three capped off an 11-0 Bulldog run.

Arkansas responded with a 9-2 run, once again taking control at 51-39. The Razorbacks cruised over the next six minutes, securing a 61-45 win.

A season-high 26 turnovers and an abysmal 30.6% from the field doomed the Bulldogs, who squandered an opportunity for a Quad-1 win. MSU also dropped its fourth SEC contest in a row, dropping to 4-6 in the conference.

Tolu Smith was Mississippi State’s only scorer in double-digits with 10. Stewart and Iverson Molinar struggled all night, finishing with eight and six, respectively. Freshman Derek Fountain added seven points in just nine minutes off the bench.

Big man Connor Vanover and Moses Moody led Arkansas offensively, dropping 13 each. Justin Smith and Davonte Davis finished in double-figures as well with 10 apiece. The Razorbacks also enjoyed a 45-34 advantage on the boards.

A road matchup with South Carolina awaits Mississippi State on Saturday. The game will tip at 2:30 PM CT on the SEC Network.

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