Mississippi State Gets Big Win Over Alabama

STARKVILLE, Miss. — In a game that was close throughout, it was the home Bulldogs who came out on top, 80-73, over the Alabama Crimson Tide Tuesday night at Humphrey Coliseum.

With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 18-10 (9-6 SEC), while the Crimson Tide fall to 15-13 (7-8 SEC).

Sophomore forward Reggie Perry led the team with 21 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks. Senior guard Tyson Carter scored 19 points to go with a team-high five assists.

Sophomore guard Robert Woodard II added 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while junior guard Nick Weatherspoon finished with nine points, four assists and four rebounds and redshirt junior forward Addul Ado put up eight points, five rebounds and two blocks.

The Bulldogs shot 30-of-57 (52.6%) from the floor, including 4-of-14 (28.6%) from 3-point range. State also made 16-of-19 shots (84.2%) from the free-throw line.

The Crimson Tide shot 27-of-70 (38.6%), including 11-of-32 (34.4%) from 3-point range. The Tide also made 8-of-15 (53.3%) free throws.

Alabama led 7-4 at the first media timeout, but a 3-pointer by Carter and a layup by Woodard II gave State a 9-7 lead with 14:46 left in the half.

After trading baskets for much of the game, Alabama managed to jump ahead to a six-point lead at 34-28 with just over five minutes left in the half.

The Bulldogs scored the next six points to tie things back up at 34-34.

The Bulldogs trailed by one late in the half, but a 3-pointer by Weatherspoon gave State a 41-39 lead at the halftime break.

Alabama tied things up at 41-41 to begin the second half. The Bulldogs made the next three baskets to go up 47-41.

MSU built its lead up to eight points at 53-45 before the Tide made it a one basket game at 53-51 with 14:25 left in the contest.

The Bulldogs then led by six points with 10:50 left, but Alabama knotted things up at 59-59 with 9:34 left.

A pair of free throws by Carter saw the Bulldogs push their lead to 71-62 with 4:42 left. The Crimson Tide cut the deficit down to four a couple times down the stretch, but the Bulldogs got a much-needed 80-73 win.

The Bulldogs will be back in action Saturday when they travel to Columbia, Missouri, to play the Missouri Tigers. Tip time is set for 2:30 p.m. CT and will be televised by SEC Network.