Bulldogs Edged By Red Raiders In Legends Classic Closer

Saturday, November 29

Newark, N.J. (Prudential Center)

4:30 PM

Mississippi State

(5-2)

Texas Tech

(6-1)

Texas Tech

Mississippi State

Charlotte Holds Off State For 70-64 Victory

Bulldogs Edged By Red Raiders In Legends Classic Closer

November 29, 2008 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: hailstate.com

? Official Statistics
? Official Statistics (PDF)

NEWARK, N.J. - Mississippi State's men's basketball team could not match a hot-shooting Texas Tech ball club, falling to the Red Raiders 77-73 in the third place game of the Legends Classic Saturday evening in the Prudential Center.

The Red Raiders improved to 6-1 with the victory, while the Bulldogs lost for the second time in as many nights, falling to 5-2. MSU finishes Legends Classic play with a 2-2 ledger, winning twice at home before falling twice in New Jersey.

Known for a always-shooting offensive attack, the Red Raiders rammed home 10 3-point baskets to lead to the victory. MSU, which has started the season strong from the foul line, could not convert Saturday, as the Bulldogs only hit 17 of 31 free throws in the contest.

“We left too many plays on the floor,” MSU coach Rick Stansbury said. “We played a very good basketball team tonight. You can't make the little mistakes on the road and beat a really good team. I am really proud of several things that we did well tonight.

“We out-rebound them offensively and defensively. We held them to 33 percent shooting in the second half. If you defend and rebound, you have a chance to win.”

Trailing 9-5, Texas Tech used a 14-1 run to take the lead for good in the basketball game. The Red Raiders led by as many as 11 in the opening half. Texas Tech led 42-34 at the intermission.

The Bulldogs used a strong offensive half from Kodi Augustus and strong inside play from Jarvis Varnado to crawl back into the game. Still the Bulldogs never could get over the hump. Dee Bost rammed home a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 49-47 with 14:00 remaning,

MSU trailed by no more than seven points but also could get no closer than that two-point spread the rest of the way.

For the Bulldogs, Augustus and Bost each had 16 points for game-high honors. Bost hit three 3-point baskets. Varnado added 11 points, while Ravern Johnson scored nine points. Varnado also had a team-high 10 rebounds and four blocked shots. Romero Osby had seven points and six rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench for the Bulldogs.

For the Red Raiders, five players were in double figures. John Roberson led Texas Tech with 13 points. Nick Okorie and Tyree Graham each added 11 points, while Trevor Cook and Alan Voskull each added 10 points.

“There were a lot of areas where we were better tonight,” Stansbury said. “It was a lot better from last night to tonight. However, you miss 14 free throws. You can't do that and beat a really good team. I am proud of the effort. What we didn't do, we just have to get better at.”

For the contest, MSU hit on 26 of 65 field goal attempts (40.0 percent), 4 of 20 from 3-point range (20.0 percent) and 17 of 31 at the foul line (54.8 percent). Texas Tech was 26 of 64 from the field (40.6 percent), 10 of 22 from 3-point range (45.5 percent) and 15 of 20 from the foul line (75.0 percent).

The Bulldogs held a 47-34 rebounding advantage. MSU had seven assists and a season-low 11 turnovers.

The Bulldogs return home for a three-game homestand. That homestand opens with Alabama State in a noon start Saturday in the Humphrey Coliseum. The Bulldogs then close out the homestand with Charlotte (December 10) and South Alabama (December 13).