Slow Start Haunts Dawgs at No. 8 Tennessee

Tuesday, January 3

Knoxville, Tenn.

6:00 PM

Mississippi State

11-3,0-2SEC

#8 Tennessee

12-2,2-0SEC

Mississippi St.

Tennessee

Photo by: Mike Mattina/MSU Athletics

Slow Start Haunts Dawgs at No. 8 Tennessee

January 03, 2023 | Men's Basketball

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The Dawgs shoot 40 percent in the loss at Tennessee

By: Travis Rae, Associate Director/Communications

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A slow start over the first four minutes of the contest haunted the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Tuesday night from Thompson-Boling Arena as No. 8 Tennessee scored the first 16 points of the game. No. 8 Tennessee defeated the Bulldogs 87-53.

MSU's offense started slow, as they were shooting 20 percent for most of the first half before they heated up at the end of the game. MSU shot 46 percent from the floor in the second half, but it wasn't enough, as Tennessee shot 69 percent in the contest.

"I have a ton of respect for their program, how they play, their coaching staff and they got it right where they want it," stated head coach Chris Jans. "I don't care where you are going or where you are playing, but on the road against a good team, when you dig yourself that big of a hole, you are going to spend the entire evening trying to get back into the game."

Tyler Stevenson led the Bulldogs with 15 points in the game on 7-of-10 shooting. Tolu Smith and Kimani Hamilton followed with nine points each. Dashawn Davis dished out a team-high six assists in the contest.

In a half that saw the Bulldogs shoot 30 from the floor while the Volunteers shot 63 percent, including hitting nine threes. No. 8 Tennessee opened the game on fire as opened the game by scoring the first 16 points of the game. The Vols hit four three-pointers during this stretch. MSU battled and chipped away at the lead and had it down to 10, 18-8, after a KeShawn Murphy three. Tennessee continued to stretch the lead and grew the lead to 46-22 at the half.

The Dawgs looked like they would heat up after a three by Dashawn Davis. The Maroon and White would go the next two and a half minutes without scoring again until Tolu Smith hit a layup. Following the layup, both teams traded baskets, but MSU could not cut into the lead. MSU was defeated by No. 8 Tennessee, 87-53.

MSU returns to the court at 1 p.m. Saturday, when they return to Humphrey Coliseum to take on Ole Miss in a Southeastern Conference matchup. Wear Maroon to the game and Deck the Hump in Maroon.