STARKVILLE • The Mississippi men’s basketball team did a quick job in South Carolina on Wednesday night.
Mississippi beat South Carolina, 69-48, at the Humphrey Coliseum. The Bulldogs, who have won two consecutive victories for the first time since the first week of January, are now 13-11 overall, with a record 7-8 in conference games.
South Carolina was without starting owner Seventh Woods due to a concussion, and the Bulldogs took advantage of the fact that Gamecocks were short-handed. The Bulldogs achieved a 12 point lead in just five minutes of play and never let South Carolina get closer than 10 points the rest of the way.
“I was very concerned about this game because I have a lot of respect for Frank (Martin),” said coach Ben Howland. “Our guys came and really developed what we did on Saturday at Oxford and took a positive step by putting great efforts in a row. That was the key. “
Freshman guard Deivon Smith started in place of Iverson Molinar, who arrived late for a team role. He, along with Derek Fountain and DJ Stewart, each had 3 points in the first three minutes of the game and MSU took the lead, 11-5.
The Bulldogs continued to push and lead by 12 points, 17-5, after layouts by Fountain and Stewart and two free throws by Abdul Ado.
South Carolina reduced the advantage to 10 points soon after, but failed to get any closer, as the Gamecocks struggled to score for most of the game. South Carolina hit just 29% of the ground and 19% of the 3-point streak.
“Our defense, however, is what determined victory again and it all starts with that,” said Howland. “I don’t remember ever keeping a team in the SEC game at 29% of the field in six years. I think it was the first time. “
Behind a big Stewart night, the State of Mississippi managed to increase its lead to 18 in the first half and led 38 to 23 at halftime.
Stewart had 12 of his 15 points, the best of the game, in the first half, and hit 3 out of 3 on the floor and 5 out of 5 on the free throw line.
Abdul Ado was MSU’s only top scorer with 11 points and 8 rebounds, while Tolu Smith scored 9 points and 13 rebounds.
South Carolina was led by Keyshawn Bryant with 14 points.
The state of Mississippi has only two games left before the SEC tournament. Bulldogs welcome SEC leader Alabama on Saturday at 5 pm at Hump.