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Mississippi State Completes Comeback in Win Over Sam Houston State

Bulldogs improve to 2-0.

NCAA Basketball Tournament - First Round - San Jose Photo by Justin Tafoya/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi State trailed by as much as 18 points, but the Bulldogs completed the comeback to down Sam Houston State, 67-58, Friday night at Humphrey Coliseum.

The Bulldogs turned the ball over 16 times in the first half, and the Bearkats took advantage, scoring 17 points off turnovers and leading by as much as 17 points when sophomore guard Zach Nutall made a layup on a fast break, which began on a Bulldog turnover.

However, senior guard Tyson Carter scored 10 unanswered points to draw within seven points at 34-27 at the halftime break.

Sam Houston State’s Chad Bowie made a 3-pointer to open the second half to make it 37-27. The Bulldogs would then capitalize on a basket and free throw to make it 37-30. The squads then traded baskets before the Bearkats would go on an 11-0 run to make it 52-37 with 13:02 left in the game.

The Bulldogs, however, closed out on a 17-0 run on their way to a 67-58 comeback win.

The Bearkats shot 15-of-35, including 4-of-12 from beyond the arc in the first half, but the Bulldog defense limited Sam Houston State to just 9-of-30 shooting in the second half, including 2-of-10 from 3-point land.

Carter scored 19 of his game-high 28 points in the first half. He also dished out a team-high six assists. Sophomore forward Reggie Perry, who was held scoreless in the first half, finished with 10 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and two blocks.

Freshman guard D.J. Stewart Jr. finished with 15 points, while sophomore guard Robert Woodard II also finished with a double-digit scoring performance, scoring 10 points to go along with five rebounds.

The Bulldogs will be back in action Thursday when they host Louisiana-Monroe at Humphrey Coliseum. Tip time is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT and will be steamed on SEC Network+, which can be seen on the WatchESPN app.