Mississippi State
18-16,8-10SEC
Virginia
20-13,12-8ACC
Mississippi State’s Season Concludes
March 16, 2022 | Men's Basketball
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia – Mississippi State's 2021-22 season came to an end with a 60-57 loss to Virginia during Wednesday's NIT Round of 32 at John Paul Jones Arena.
The Bulldogs (18-16) were playing in the postseason for the fourth straight year in which such events have been held.
Three MSU players reached double figures in the defensive dominated affair. The Bulldogs were led by Tolu Smith, who recorded a double-double as he tallied 16 points to go along with 11 rebounds.
Smith concluded the year by notching three double-doubles over the course of MSU's final five games this season. He scored at least 14 points in all of State's last seven contests.
Iverson Molinar and Garrison Brooks each scored 13 points for the Bulldogs. Molinar also chipped in four assists, three rebounds and a steal. Brooks brought down five boards.
Both teams shot 50 percent from the floor, with each squad making 23 of 46 shots. State held a slight rebounding edge, 27-24.
However, turnovers proved to be a decisive factor in the game. Mississippi State had 14 turnovers – five more than Virginia. The Cavaliers turned those Bulldogs turnovers into 17 points.
Neither team built much separation all evening long. Virginia never led by more than nine. State held a two-point lead on a couple of occasions in the second half but couldn't hold on.
Things ultimately came down to the final seconds. MSU trailed by seven points with just 35 seconds to play. However, Smith and Cameron Matthews each had baskets to get the Bulldogs within three points with four seconds left.
On the ensuing Virginia possession, the Bulldogs fouled Jayden Gardner, who missed a pair of foul shot attempts which left the door open for MSU.
Looking to tie things up and send it to overtime, Molinar misfired on an off-balanced and contested three-point attempt.
FROM THE LOCKER ROOM – COACH HOWLAND
"It was a really tough, hard-fought game. We really struggled to score early in this game and played much better offensively in the second half. We fell down eight [27-19 at halftime]. Then, scored four or five baskets in a row to start the second half."
"At the end of the day, as I look at the stat sheet, we had 14 turnovers to their nine. That's the difference in the game. Both teams shot 50-percent from the field. We had four three's, and they had two. They had a few more shots at the foul line, primarily because we were fouling at the end of the game. The turnovers were the difference."
"Having coached against Tony [Bennett] in the past, this is the kind of game you expect. It's not anything new for me, but it's new for our players. They are so patient offensively. I think Tony is one of the three best coaches in all of college basketball, and I thought that was proven here tonight. I have so much respect for what he has accomplished at Virginia, and what he accomplished at Washington State where it's next to impossible to win."
- Mississippi State dropped a 60-57 decision at Virginia during Wednesday's NIT Round of 32 matchup to finish the 2021-22 season with an 18-16 record.
- The Bulldogs made the program's fourth consecutive postseason appearance when postseason tournament have been played.
- It marked Mississippi State's 11th NIT appearance. The Bulldogs dropped to 13-11 overall and to 6-5 in opening round games.
- The Maroon and White started the second half hitting on its first six shot attempts and went on a 15-5 run to turn a 27-19 halftime deficit into a 34-32 advantage with 15:15 remaining.
- The Cavaliers countered with eight consecutive points of their own to retake the lead which they would hold until the final buzzer.
- Mississippi State won the battle of the bords for the 28th time in 34 games this season. The Bulldogs edged Virginia, 27-24, on the glass.
- As a unit, Mississippi State shot 23-of-46 from the floor (50.0 percent), 4-of-13 from three-point range (30.3 percent) and 7-of-11 from the free throw line (63.6 percent).
- The 50.0 shooting clip tied for the fifth-highest mark in program history for a NIT game. The Bulldogs shot 50 percent or better in all three of their NIT wins last season.
- The 60 points allowed were the third-lowest total in program history for a NIT game.
- Collected the ninth NIT double-double in program history courtesy of a team-leading 16 points and a team-high 11 rebounds.
- Captured his 13th career double-double and finished the season with double-doubles during three of his last six outings.
- Registered 10-plus points in 16 of 21 games this season and 36 of his 51 career games at Mississippi State.
- Finished the season with seven consecutive games in double figures.
- The 11 rebounds were good enough for the fifth-highest total by a MSU player during a NIT game.
- Multiple assists in five of his last six games.
- Pitched in 13 points alongside four assists and three rebounds.
- Extended his streak to 34 consecutive games in double figures which was a program record for a single season.
- The last two MSU players to score double figures in every game was Tony Watts in 1991-92 and the program's all-time leading scorer Jeff Malone in 1982-83.
- The 13 points brought Molinar's season total to 595 which gave him the eighth-best total in program history.
- Sits at 1,279 career points which is 23rd in program history.
- Dished out four or more assists for the 15th time in 2021-22.
- Scored or assisted on 36.8 percent of State's points this season.
- Made his third consecutive start to finish the season.
- Chipped in five points and two assists.
- Two or more assists in five of his last six games.
- Contributed 13 points and five rebounds in his final collegiate game.
- Wrapped his career with 1,628 career points and 1,022 career rebounds.
- The only active Power 5 player with over 1,500 points and 1000 rebounds.
- Splashed home a trio of three-pointers which matched his career high.
- Amassed double figures for the 80th time in his career and his 20th occasion in Maroon and White.
- Brooks and Molinar were the only two Bulldogs to start every game in 2021-22.
- Provided six points, four rebounds and three assists.
- Three or more assists in 12 games this season.
Bench
- Cameron Matthews and Derek Fountain each scored baskets to secure all four of State's points off the bench.
