Mississippi State
14-13, 6-7
LSU
11-17, 3-10
Mississippi State Drops Tight 84-82 Decision To LSU
February 23, 2011 | Men's Basketball
On an emotional night on the MSU hardwood, the Bulldogs sprinted to an early 13-point lead but failed to wrap the contest in Maroon and White. Legendary MSU play-by-play man Jack Cristil announced his retirement after 58 seasons behind the microphone in Wednesday's night postgame show.
Cristil began his MSU career in 1953, working 58 football seasons and 54 basketball seasons as the play-by-play voice of the Bulldogs. The Memphis native was named Mississippi's "Outstanding Sportscaster" on 21 different occasions. Stepping away because of health concerns, Cristil's final broadcast will be Saturday's SEC battle at Tennessee.
"It has been a genuine pleasure being associated with such a fine university. The Mississippi State family is second to none," said Cristil, as he spoke for about three minutes closing Wednesday night's broadcast.
The Bulldogs shot 56 percent from the field - the second best total in a game this season. MSU built an early 24-11 lead but saw that melt away on a 17-5 run. LSU grabbed the lead with 5:19 left in the first half and never trailed the rest of the way.
"They survived us coming out early and jumping on them," MSU head coach Rick Stansbury said. "They got back in it by jumping up and making a bunch of shots. We shoot 56 percent from the floor and out-rebound them; however, second chance points and missed free throws (MSU 6-of-11 first half and 17-of-28 for game) really cost us the ballgame."
With the victory, LSU earned a season split. The Tigers snapped a 10-game losing streak in league play. LSU is now 11-17 overall and 3-10 in conference play, while MSU fell to 14-13 and 6-7. The Bulldogs are tied with Arkansas for second place in the Western Division standings with three league games left.
On a pair of 3-point baskets by Jalen Steele and Riley Benock, the Bulldogs quickly sprinted to a 12-2 advantage. Renardo Sidney scored on back-to-back possessions, including an old-fashioned 3-point play. Sidney's free throw make extended the lead to 22-11 with 11:57 left in the half.
From there, LSU found its shooting touch. The Tigers hit 8-of-14 shots from 3-point range in the opening half. Aaron Dotson was the top sharp-shooter with three 3-point makes in the first half.
The Tigers closed within 28-26 on a 3-point make by Ralston Turner with 7:33 left in the half. LSU then grabbed a 31-30 lead on a Dotson trey with 6:12 left in the half.
Another Dotson 3-pointer extended the lead to 36-32 with 4:39 left before halftime. Behind a 45.1 percent shooting first half, LSU eased into halftime with a 45-41 advantage.
The Tigers continued a strong start to the second half. A 9-2 run pushed the guests out to a 56-47 advantage with 15:14 left in the contest.
With defensive stops few and far between for both teams, the Bulldogs kept battling. A 3-pointer by Ravern Johnson cut the deficit to 66-63 with 8:35 left in the contest.
MSU closed within one on a Dee Bost trey at 70-69 with 6:28 left. Still, the Maroon and White could never get over the hump.
A Storm Warren jumper placed LSU on top, 77-73 with 3:42 left. A pair of free throws by Bost brought the Bulldogs within two. After an LSU miss, a layup by Sidney tied the contest at 77-77 with 1:41 left.
The Tigers grabbed the lead for good when Garrett Green scored a tip-in with 1:19 left. The Bulldogs had one last chance with Benock's 16-foot jump shot drawing iron but rimming out as time expired.
For the contest, the Bulldogs hit 28 of 50 shots from the field (56.0 percent), 9 of 17 shots from 3-point range (52.9 percent) and 17 of 28 shots from the foul line (60.7 percent). The Tigers hit 28 of 67 shots from the field (41.8 percent), 9 of 23 shots from 3-point range (39.1 percent) and 19 of 24 shots from the foul line (79.2 percent).
MSU held a 38-32 rebounding advantage. The Bulldogs had 17 assists and 18 turnovers, while the Tigers had 12 assists and 10 turnovers.
Sidney matched a season high with 24 points. Bost and Johnson added 15 points apiece, while Kodi Augustus scored 13 points. Augustus had nine rebounds, while Bost had nine assists.
The Bulldogs had to play Sidney and Augustus sparingly down the stretch, as each had four fouls. MSU also lost the services of freshman Jalen Steele, who logged 20 minutes before leaving with a sprained knee.
LSU received 16 points from Dotson, 14 points from Warren, 12 points from Turner, 12 points from Green and 10 points from Andre Stringer. Green also had a team-high eight rebounds.
MSU and Tennessee tip at 5 p.m. CT Saturday from Knoxville. ESPN will have the national telecast of that contest.
