Mississippi State
1-0
Western Carolina
0-1
Bulldogs Win 400th Game At Humphrey Coliseum
November 15, 2014 | Men's Basketball
Roquez Johnson paced MSU with 16 points, while Fred Thomas added 15. Gavin Ware recorded his 10th-career double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Five players made their MSU debut, including Maurice Dunlap and Demetrius Houston, who totaled 6 points and 7 rebounds, respectively.
“I thought our freshmen came in and made some big 3s, especially Maurice Dunlap,” said MSU coach Rick Ray, who collected his 25th career win. “More importantly, they didn't turn the ball over. Houston ended up with seven rebounds and really did a good job on the defensive end.”
Mississippi State went into the break up 31-30 on a putback by Ware at the buzzer.
The Bulldogs jumped out to the quick 4-0 lead, but the Catamounts hit a couple of 3-pointers to take an 18-15 advantage.
MSU responded, however, when Dunlap drained back-to-back treys to put his team up 21-18.
At the half, the Bulldogs led by nine, 35-26.
Mississippi State opened up the second half with an 8-2 run to extend its lead to 39-32. The Catamounts would cut the Bulldogs lead to five, but a pair of free throws by Thomas and a jumper by Travis Daniels put the Bulldogs up seven at the halfway mark.
MSU pushed its lead to double digits for the first time at 57-47 thanks to a pair of free throws from Johnson. WCU would cut it as close as six in the final moments of the game, but clutch free throw shooting by the Bulldogs would seal the contest.
“I thought we did a good job at getting to the free throw line and making our free throws,” Ray said. “You always want to end up making more free throws than the other team even attempts. I thought that was key for us.”
MSU was was 17-37 shooting, 4 of 9 beyond arc, while WCU was 21 of 58 and led in scoring by James Sinclair with 20 points. Mississippi State also won the battle of the boards, 39-27.
Next up for the Bulldogs is Mississippi Valley State at 7 p.m. on Monday.
