Carter's Second-Half Production Ignites MSU

Wednesday, November 22

Starkville

7:00 PM

Mississippi State

4-0

Stephen F. Austin

4-1

Stephen F. Austin

Mississippi State

Tyson Carter had a career-high 25 points in MSU's win against Stephen F. Austin.

Carter's Second-Half Production Ignites MSU

November 22, 2017 | Men's Basketball

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STARKVILLE, Miss. – Tyson Carter led the way with 25 points and Mississippi State erased a eight-point second-half deficit to post an 80-75 win against Stephen F. Austin Wednesday at Humphrey Coliseum.

The 4-0 Bulldogs shot 55.8 percent from the field and rallied to win the rebounding column in the closing minutes. MSU also took advantage of heavy foul trouble by the visitors. The Lumberjacks had two players foul out, while the Bulldogs shot 35 free throws in the contest.

MSU placed four in double figures. Carter was followed by Quinndary Weatherspoon with 20 points, Nick Weatherspoon with 15 points and Aric Holman with 10 points.

The Bulldogs were playing without Lamar Peters.

"When Tyson gives us what he gave us tonight, we can be a good team," Quinndary Weatherspoon said. "With Lamar being out, this just improves our confidence and that we can play without a star player."

After hitting only 1-of-9 3-point attempts in the first half, the Bulldogs trailed 40-32 at the intermission. In the second half, the Bulldogs did more slashing to the basket, having a good night from inside the paint and collecting fouls on the visiting Lumberjacks.

"That was a huge win and a great comeback against the best team we have played this season," MSU coach Ben Howland said. "Stephen F. Austin will be an NCAA Tournament team. What I saw tonight reinforced that. Tyson's play in the second half really spear-headed our chance to take a lead.

"He drove to the basket and finished in multiple ways. Not having Lamar hurt us against the press. We were questionable against their press in the first half. In the second half, we were great on defense. We held them to 32 percent shooting from the field in the second half."

After Nick Weatherspoon opened the scoring with a 3-pointer for the Bulldogs, the Lumberjacks battled back for an 11-6 lead. The lead stayed with the visitors until Carter hit a pair of free throws for a 28-26 lead with 3:41 left in the half.

The Lumberjacks ended the half with a 10-3 run for the 40-32 lead.

"It's hard to get your legs back when you play three games in five days," Howland said. "The defense of Aric Holman was important. Stephen F. Austin has some great players. (Nick Weatherspoon and Quinndary Weatherspoon) had two turnovers between them. That is really good against their pressure."

Back-to-back baskets by Carter gave the Bulldogs a 45-44 lead with 14:55 left in the contest.

It would eventually be a 11-0 run as a layup by Quinndary Weatherspoon gave the Bulldogs a 52-44 lead.
A 3-pointer by Nick Weatherspoon gave the Bulldogs their largest lead of the game at 68-52 with 6:06 left in the contest.

The Lumberjacks battled back within three points in the closing seconds but the Bulldogs held on.

For the contest, MSU hit 24 of 43 shots from the field (55.8 percent), 6 of 18 shots from 3-point range (33.3 percent) and 26 of 35 shots from the foul line (74.3 percent). Stephen F. Austin hit 25 of 67 shots from the field (37.3 percent), 9 of 27 shots from 3-point range (33.3 percent) and 16 of 18 shots from the foul line (88.9 percent).

MSU held a 35-31 rebounding advantage. The Bulldogs had 14 assists and 19 turnovers, while the Lumberjacks had seven assists and 12 turnovers.

Stephen F. Austin (4-1) received 20 points from Shannon Bogues, 19 points from T.J. Holyfield, 15 points from Ivan Canete and 12 points from Leon Gilmore, III.

MSU will play host to Jacksonville State at 2 p.m. Sunday.