Mississippi State
18-10,6-9SEC
Missouri
20-8,8-7SEC
State Drops Overtime Decision At Missouri
February 21, 2023 | Men's Basketball, Joel Coleman
Bulldogs fall 66-64 to the Tigers.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mississippi State put forth a valiant effort on the road but ultimately fell to Missouri 66-64 in overtime at Mizzou Arena.
Nick Honor's 3-pointer for the Tigers with just seven seconds remaining proved to be the decisive shot. The Bulldogs had a chance to tie or go in front as the clock wound down but missed a jumper and putback attempt ahead of the final buzzer.
"[Missouri] made two 3s in their last two possessions," State head coach Chris Jans said. "That's tough…Big time shots for those players for their team. We made some, too, but they made the last one. Time ran out. We had at least a shot and a tip or two and it didn't go in for us."
Tolu Smith earned his 22nd career double-double in the defeat. He led the Bulldogs with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The 10 boards helped MSU claim a 41-38 rebounding edge.
D.J. Jeffries added 10 points. Shakeel Moore, Cameron Matthews and Eric Reed, Jr., scored nine each.
Smith scored four of his 14 points from the free throw line, including a clutch pair at the end of regulation. With eight seconds left on the clock in the second half and MSU down 57-55, Smith was fouled, went to the charity stripe and sank both shots. The Bulldogs then held strong on the other end of the court to force an extra period.
In overtime, the teams traded the lead. Honor connected for a trey to put the Tigers in front by three, but Jeffries answered with a 3-pointer of his own to tie the score at 60. A Smith layup gave the Bulldogs a two-point advantage that lasted for nearly two minutes before Noah Carter hit from long range to put State behind again, 63-62.
When Dashawn Davis made a jumper with 20 seconds remaining, it seemed as though it might prove to be a game-winner for MSU. However, Honor spoiled all that with his pivotal make in the closing seconds.
When all was said and done, the game featured a total of 19 lead changes and 12 ties. The two teams were never separated by more than six points before Missouri claimed the back-and-forth affair.
Mississippi State will attempt to bounce back from the loss on Saturday. That's when the Bulldogs return home to host Texas A&M. Tip-off is slated for 2:30 p.m. at Humphrey Coliseum.
