Sword was 9-for-11 from the field for Mississippi State
(6-2), which overcame a 15-for-28 performance from the
free-throw line to get the win. Sword was the only Bulldog in
double figures, although Gavin Ware and Colin Borchert
contributed nine apiece.
Antonnio Benton racked up a career high for the second
consecutive game, tallying 26 points and eight rebounds for
Southeastern Louisiana (3-6), which dropped its fourth straight.
Benton was 10-for-17 from the floor while the rest of the Lions
combined for a 15-for-46 effort.
Neither team held a lead of more than six in the second half and
JaMichael Hawkins had a chance to give the Lions the lead with
just over a minute to go, but his jumper was blocked by Fred
Thomas. Sword made a layup on the ensuing possession with 43
seconds to go and Joshua Fillmore missed a 3-pointer on the
other end to seal the Lions’ fate.
Mississippi State jumped out to a 12-2 advantage early, holding
the Lions to just one field goal in the first 7:40 of the
contest. Southeastern Louisiana rallied though, making 12 of its
final 20 field goal attempts to take a 33-32 halftime lead.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Benton’s 20-plus point effort was his second
straight and also just the second of his career. … Southeastern
Louisiana is 1-56 against SEC opponents since joining Division
I. … Mississippi State is 4-0 all-time in Tupelo.
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