Bulldogs Drop Overtime Battle With No. 21 LSU

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Despite leading for majority of the game, and getting a 27-point effort from Quinndary Weatherspoon, the Mississippi State men’s basketball team fell to No. 21 LSU Tigers in overtime, 92-88, Wednesday night at Humphrey Coliseum.

The Bulldogs drop to 16-6 (4-5 SEC), while LSU improves to 18-4 (8-1 SEC).

LSU took an early 16-8 lead, but then MSU managed to go on a 17-0 run to give the Bulldogs a nine-point lead. LSU then responded with a 9-2 run of its own to pull within two at 27-25.

The teams traded baskets the rest of the half before Tyson Carter and Quinndary Weatherspoon hit back-to-back 3-pointers. The Bulldogs went into the locker room leading 42-34.

In the second half the offenses for both teams seemed to be able to score at will with Quinndary Weatherspoon getting to the basket and making shots.

The Bulldogs built up a 10-point lead at 53-43 with 15:39 left in the game, but the Tigers clawed their way back to come within four at 56-52 with 13:14 left.

The second half progressed with Quinndary Weatherspoon and Reggie Perry leading the way before State saw its lead diminish to just one with a score of 76-75 with 4:49 left in the half.

Quinndary Weatherspoon then hit a layup to increase the lead to three before an LSU layup and free throw knotted things up at 78-78.

LSU then took an 80-78 lead, but a clutch jumper by Quinndary Weatherspoon tied things up again. The squads traded layups and a free throw apice to make it an 83-83 ballgame at the end of regulation.

In overtime, LSU’s Naz Reid hit a three to seal the game for LSU. He finished with a game-high 29 points.

For MSU, Quinndary Weatherspoon turned in two rebounds and two assists to go with his 27 points.

Perry, who started in place of Aric Holman, finished with 19 points and a team-high 10 rebounds for his third double-double in his last four games. MSU’s Carter and Holman chipped in with 12 points apiece.

Nick Weatherspoon also played a key role for the Bulldogs with eight points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals

The Bulldogs will now turn their attention to No. 5 Kentucky Wildcats. Tip off is set for Saturday, at 2 p.m., in Starkville. It will be televised by CBS.