Video: Tennessee Tops MSU Men’s Basketball 80-75

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (MSU Athletics) – Freshman Quinndary Weatherspoon scored a career-high 23 points, but a late rally fell short as Mississippi State dropped an 80-75 decision to Tennessee Saturday afternoon in the Humphrey Coliseum.

MSU dropped its fourth straight to fall to 7-9 overall and 0-4 in league play. Tennessee improved to 9-8 and 2-3. For the Volunteers, it was their first win away from home this season.

Weatherspoon did his damage on an 8-of-15 night from the floor. Gavin Ware posted his fifth double-double of the season with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Ware has scored in double figures in all 16 games this season.

“We just have to stay mad,” Ware said. “We did a lot better on defense when we got into the man. The zone had some breaking points. Our effort on defense allowed us to get back in the game. We just have to stay determined, watch the film and get better.”

After a jumper by Ware gave the Bulldogs a 9-8 lead, the Volunteers followed with 13 straight points. MSU was unable to grad another lead in the final 36:57 of the contest.

A jumper by I.J. Ready capped a 6-0 run and brought the Bulldogs within 27-21. Ready then followed up with a trey to bring the Bulldogs within 29-24.

Tennessee continued its hot shooting with a 6-1 run to extend the lead to 35-25 with 2:20 left.

Tennessee hit six first-half 3-point baskets and led 38-27 at halftime.

“It was a disappointing loss,” MSU head coach Ben Howland said. “Our zone would help us win some games but it has not played that way in conference. I believe in man to man as a coach and we will have to do that more. It was a great comeback but we have to live and die with man to man defense.

“If we had been more aggressive and could have played without fouling, it could have been different.”

A 3-pointer by Baulkman ran the Tennessee lead to 43-33 with 16:16 left.

The Bulldogs then rode the energy of the Humphrey Coliseum crowd to another rally. A 3-pointer by Malik Newman brought the team within 51-46. An old-fashioned 3-point play by Craig Sword cut the deficit to 53-51 with 7:42 left.

MSU was within 60-59 on a jumper by Weatherspoon with 4:27 left. Weatherspoon followed that up by hitting two 3-pointers later. However, Tennessee closed out the win by making its final six shots from the field.

For the contest, MSU hit 28 of 66 shots from the field (42.4 percent), 5 of 19 shots from 3-point range (26.3 percent) and 14 of 20 shots from the foul line (70.0 percent). Tennessee hit 26 of 55 shots from the field (47.3 percent), 10 of 23 shots from 3-point range (43.5 percent) and 18 of 24 shots from the foul line (75.0 percent).

Mississippi State held a 40-31 rebounding advantage. The Bulldogs had 18 assists and nine turnovers, while the Volunteers had 11 assists and eight turnovers.

Craig Sword was held scoreless until the final eight minutes of the contest. Sword finished with eight points, six assists a block and two steals. Ready also had six assists.

Tennessee received 24 points from Detrick Mostella, 23 points from Kevin Punter and 14 points each from Robert Hubbs III and Baulkman.

Mississippi State returns to the road for a Tuesday matchup with Florida. The Bulldogs and Gators will tip at 6 p.m. CT in Gainesville, Florida, live nationally on ESPNU.