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The Mississippi State Bulldogs got of to a hot start behind the play of Fred Thomas at Memorial Gymnasium against the Vanderbilt Commodores, but they could not sustain the play, falling to Vandy 55-49 (Bulldogs vs Commodores coverage).
Thomas dominated the first eight minutes of the game, scoring the Bulldogs' first ten points of the contest and pushing Mississippi State ahead of Vanderbilt (Anchor Of Gold)10-9 early in the game. The game continued in a back and forth manner until Vanderbilt (12-8, 4-4) took the lead for good at the 6:30 mark in the first half at 18-16.
The Bulldogs went into the half only down four, but Mississippi State could not find a way to get their offense going in the second half until Jacoby Davis hit a three-pointer 5:30 into the second half. The Commodores eventually opened up a double digit lead before Mississippi State battled back late to close the deficit and come within a few possessions of a tie.
Rod Odom proved too much for the Bulldogs (13-8, 3-5) to handle as he scored 18 points and pulled down six rebounds. Damian Jones (13) and Kyle Fuller (14) also reached double digits for Vanderbilt whom only played seven players. Thomas led the Bulldogs with 16 points, and he was the only Mississippi State player to reach double digits. Craig Sword struggled for Mississippi State, only picking up four points on 2-10 shooting. Gavin Ware scored nine points, and Davis had six points off of the bench.
The Bulldogs next play on the road at Texas A&M on Wednesday. (Bulldogs vs Aggies coverage; Good Bull Hunting)
