Mississippi State had not played a basketball game since November 24th, but it appeared on Thursday night at the Humphrey Coliseum that the Bulldogs had not gotten the memo they were due back in action. State didn’t play with the kind of effort they had shown in their previous seven games, and their opponents from Louisiana Tech had plenty of energy to burn, as they took a 74-67 win over the maroon and white Bulldogs back to Ruston. State played well enough offensively, shooting 47% from the field, but defensively Ben Howland’s squad was unable to keep the visitors from getting open looks, as Tech shot 48%, including a scorching 63% from behind the arc. State only led once in the second half at 55-54, which quickly turned into a nine point deficit following a 10-0 Tech run.
RAINING THREES
The 🏦 is open! @theDAYDAYshow with the buzzer beater to send us into halftime with a lead! pic.twitter.com/wsGGib08CL
— Bulldog Basketball 🐶🏀 (@LATechHoops) December 6, 2019
Louisiana Tech took a three point lead into the locker room following an Iverson Molinar turnover, as the visiting Bulldogs banked in a shot at the buzzer to capture some momentum as the half ended. Tech would hit 5 of 7 in the second half, most of them coming in that crucial 10-0 run that turned a one point deficit into a 9 point lead. Tech was only shooting 31% on the season from deep, the Bulldogs doubled that number at 62.5% on Thursday. The three ball is the great equalizer, and Tech used it to their advantage.
BOARDS BAFFLE BULLDOGS
Mississippi State had a decided height advantage on Louisiana Tech, but the visiting Bulldogs hit the boards with far more energy than their hosts. The fourteen offensive boards were a huge difference, again in the second half as State was unable to capitalize on some late misses and get any sort of comeback started.
WHAT’S NEXT?
NEWS | K-State, Mississippi State to Play in the Never Forget Tribute Classic
The Wildcats and Bulldogs will meet at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on Dec. 14, 2019.
🔗 https://t.co/Mf2vOGBoOR pic.twitter.com/vwJctg44qS
— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) June 28, 2019
It’s another long layoff for Mississippi State, as the Bulldogs will be off the next 9 days before traveling to New Jersey for their second straight appearance in the Never Forget Tribute Classic, facing the Kansas State Wildcats. Tipoff is set for Saturday, December 14 at 10:30 AM central.
Photo courtesy of Mississippi State athletics
