Mississippi State
7-7,0-1
Tennessee
9-4,1-0
Bulldogs Drop SEC Opener To Tennessee
January 08, 2015 | Men's Basketball
After erasing a 12-point first-half deficit, the Bulldogs could not overcome 30.6 percent shooting and 20 missed free throws.
“You can't win a game when you spot the other team the game's first 12 points,” MSU coach Rick Ray said. “I was proud the guys battled back. But the game came down to the free throw line. We attacked and we did what we wanted to do.
“We shot 44 free throws and held them to 35 percent shooting. It's hard to comprehend not winning the game when you do that. This is very disheartening.”
Tennessee (9-4 overall, 1-0 SEC) scored the game's first 12 points.
MSU (7-7, 0-1) scored the game's next 12 points and finally evened the game with 6:07 left in the half. The Volunteers went a stretch of 12 minutes, 20 seconds without a field goal.
Tennessee broke back on top at 14-12 with a pair of free throws. MSU then grabbed a 17-14 lead with a Trivante Bloodman basket and free throw.
A 3-pointer by Devon Baulkman pushed Tennessee to a 26-23 advantage at halftime.
In the opening half, the Volunteers were whistled for 15 personal fouls but the Bulldogs were 11 of 18 at the foul line. MSU hit 6 of 18 shots from the field in the first half.
“We have to change our execution,” MSU junior center Gavin Ware said. “Sometimes guys get confused on certain plays. We just have to execute, protect the ball and get better looks at the basket. If we can do that, we can have some better offense.”
After a tip-in by Travis Daniels brought MSU within one, Tennessee scored the game's next six points for a 32-25 lead.
A 13-1 run by Tennessee pushed the Volunteers to a 45-28 advantage with 10:49 left in the contest. The Bulldogs had a stretch of 10 minutes, 59 seconds without a field goal. A Travis Daniels 3-point basket stopped that run and brought the Bulldogs within 48-33 with 8:34 left in the game.
MSU closed back within eight points on two free throws by Trivante Bloodman with 2:20 left but got no closer.
For the contest, the Bulldogs hit 11 of 36 shots from the field (30.6 percent), 1 of 9 shots from 3-point range (11.1 percent) and 24 of 44 shots from the foul line (54.5 percent). The Volunteers hit 17 of 48 shots from the field (35.4 percent), 10 of 20 shots from 3-point range (50.0 percent) and 17 of 22 shots from the foul line (77.3 percent).
Tennessee held a 44-28 rebounding advantage. The Bulldogs had four assists and 13 turnovers, while the Volunteers had 12 assists and 18 turnovers.
Ware led MSU with 12 points and nine rebounds in 25 minutes of action. Craig Sword added nine points, while Daniels added seven points.
UT received 15 points from Kevin Punter, 11 points from Josh Richardson and 10 points from Baulkman. The Volunteers committed 32 fouls and had three players foul out.
MSU will return to the road for a Saturday contest Florida. The Bulldogs and Gators tip at 6 p.m. CT on Fox Sports Net South.
