STARKVILLE • Mississippi State DJ Stewart set a career career record at the SEC earlier this month, with a win in South Carolina, and Ben Howland needs another big game from his second phenomenon tonight.
The state of Mississippi hosts South Carolina at the Humphrey Coliseum at 6 pm. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.
The Bulldogs (12-11, 6-8 SEC) defeated South Carolina on the road, 75-59, on February 6. Stewart scored 29 points in the game on 10 out of 17 shots and was 4 out of 6 on the 3 point line.
Recent fights
Since that game, Stewart has scored only double digits once and has 30 points combined in three games, while the state of Mississippi was 1-2. The Bulldogs won their most recent game, a 66-56 win at Ole Miss.
“He scored in every way in that game. He scored a 3, he scored a midfield, he scored in the basket and reached the free throw line, ”said Howland. “He had a magnificent game at both ends of the court and we need him to make a similar effort (tonight).”
Including the loss to the State of Mississippi earlier this month, South Carolina (5-11, 3-9) lost five consecutive games, three of which were by 15 points or more.
Gamecocks have been without a few players in their last games. Second-year guard Jermaine Couisnard lost the last two games due to a sprained foot. He is the team’s third highest scorer with 9.7 points per game.
Junior striker Justin Minaya also lost a game, but returned in the last game off the bench. He averages 7.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Both players must be healthy and play against the MSU.
“The return of these guys makes a big difference because they are two of their best players,” said Howland. “I think they are going to be at full strength and we know how difficult they are to face. Every time we play in South Carolina, it’s like a root canal. It is so difficult because they are very strong defensively. “
South Carolina’s highly praised defense was not present during the Gamecocks’ five-game losing streak. After awarding 75 points to MSU, South Carolina has awarded 81 points to one in each of the last four games.
South Carolina has awarded 93 points in each of the last two games, both defeats to Missouri and Tennessee.