An incredible NCAA Tournament game found Mississippi State on the wrong end of a 60-59 decision to Pittsburgh, as the Bulldogs’ last second shot from Shak Moore missed, sending the Bulldogs back to Starkville and out of the Big Dance.
SURVIVE AND ADVANCE‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/IqGAq7bX8U
— Pitt Basketball (@Pitt_MBB) March 15, 2023
A wildly entertaining game that saw 21 lead changes, State took a 59-58 advantage on Tolu Smith’s layup with 32 seconds to play. Pitt would answer with 10 seconds to go on a Jamarius Burton jumper, giving the Bulldogs the final possession. Smith would drive to the basket only to see his shot blocked out of bounds with 2.7 to go. Off the inbounds, State found Moore wide open in the corner for the game winner, but it went off the rim. DJ Jeffries putback attempt was unsuccessful, and State saw their season end in Dayton. The Bulldogs finish the year with a 21-13 record under first year head coach Chris Jans.
Mississippi State had two clean looks at a game-winner. But Pittsburgh survives its First Four matchup. Iowa State awaits. pic.twitter.com/6KVG89zaSy
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) March 15, 2023
State was led by DaShawn Davis with 15 points, one of three Bulldogs in double figures. Moore added 14 points, while Smith had 13. The Bulldogs, who entered the game as the nation’s worst three point shooting team, hit 4 of their first 7 from deep, but finished the game only 2 for their next 16 behind the arc.
Photo courtesy of Mississippi State athletics.
