Late Second-Half Surge Lifts Bama Past MSU

Saturday, January 28

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

5:00 PM

Mississippi State

13-7, 4-4

Alabama

13-7, 6-2

Mississippi State

Alabama

Schnider Herard had an impressive game against the Crimson Tide with 12 points and 6 rebounds.

Late Second-Half Surge Lifts Bama Past MSU

January 28, 2017 | Men's Basketball

Box Score Official Stats Official Stats (PDF)Postgame Press Conference

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Mississippi State's one moment of hope in the second half faded quickly during a 71-62 loss to Alabama Saturday at Coleman Coliseum.

Quinndary Weatherspoon hit a 3-point basket to the give the Bulldogs a 58-57 lead with 6:08 left in the contest. It was MSU's only lead in the second half. Alabama scored the game's next 13 points to salt the game between Highway 82 rivals away.

The Bulldogs placed three players in double figures. Lamar Peters had 13 points, while Schnider Herard had 12 points and Weatherspoon had 11 points. Aric Holman had a team-high nine rebounds.

MSU fell to 13-7 overall and 4-4 in league play with its second-straight road loss in league play. Alabama improved to 13-7 and 6-2. The Crimson Tide complete a two-game season sweep of the Bulldogs.

"We really competed, and I really liked the fight in the team," MSU coach Ben Howland said. "We simply had too many turnovers, and they went to the line too many times. You can't out a team on the line 36 times. That's difficult to overcome, especially on the road.

"We are playing some really good basketball teams. Credit to Alabama for getting the ball inside and making free throws."

MSU started strong offensively, building a 9-4 lead on a 3-pointer by Xavian Stapleton. However, that would be the only made 3-pointer for the Bulldogs on six first-half attempts. The lead was again 13-8 on a jumper by Herard.

Alabama stayed close and finally took its first lead of the game at 17-15 on a 3-pointer by Riley Norris. The lead swapped hand several times before the Crimson Tide scored the final five points of the first half for a 34-29 halftime lead.

In the second half, the Bulldogs continued to battle foul trouble and also played without I.J. Ready, who left the game early with a lower leg injury.

Alabama scored the first six points of the second half and quickly built a 40-29 lead.

To the Bulldogs' credit, the 3-point shooting finally came along. Peters hit one and Mario Kegler hit another as the Maroon and White pieced together a 17-5 run for a 58-57 lead.

Alabama answered with a 3-pointer by Braxton Key and did not trail again.

"We came back and took the lead on the road in a hostile environment with a little over five minutes left to play," Howland said. "After that, simply too many turnovers. Losing I.J. hurt because he solidifies so many things on the defensive end."

Alabama received 19 points from Key, 15 points from Dazon Ingram and 13 points from Norris.

MSU remains on the road for a Tuesday contest against Ole Miss. The Bulldogs and Rebels begin at 6 p.m. on the SEC Network.