Vanderbilt Knocks State From SEC Tourney In Overtime
Official Game Statistics
| Winsome Frazier contests a shot by Vanderbilt's Matt Freije during the first half. (AP Photo/Dave Martin) |
ATLANTA (AP) -- Mississippi State went to overtime one too many times.
Vanderbilt stunned the fourth-ranked Bulldogs in the quarterfinals of the Southeastern Conference tournament, pulling off a 74-70 upset in overtime and likely denying Mississippi State any chance of landing a top seed in the NCAAs.
SEC player of the year Lawrence Roberts, hobbled by a sprained right ankle, had a chance to win the game in regulation for the Bulldogs (25-3) but his 3-pointer at the buzzer clanged off the back of the rim.
Vanderbilt (21-9) then won it in overtime, clinching the victory at the free-throw line -- a spot that gave the Commodores trouble most of the night. Julian Terrell put them ahead to stay with a couple of foul shots, and Corey Smith sealed it by hitting two more with 20.2 seconds remaining.
Mississippi State was playing its fourth overtime game of the season -- and second in a row. The Bulldogs survived an 82-81 scare from Alabama last weekend, after also beating Santa Clara and South Carolina in OT.
But the fourth time was not the charm for the SEC's regular-season champions.
Mario Moore scored 17 points and Julian Terrell added 16 to lead five Vanderbilt players in double figures.
The Bulldogs didn't get much from their two big guns. Roberts and Timmy Bowers both shot 4-of-12 from the field after being selected to the All-SEC team for their regular-season excellence.
Vanderbilt, assuring itself of a spot in the NCAA tournament, advanced to meet either Florida or Alabama in Saturday's semifinals.
Kentucky -- suddenly the heavy favorite to win another SEC tournament -- will meet South Carolina in the other semifinal.