News Summary
The Mississippi State Bulldogs showcased their prowess by defeating the Memphis Tigers 79-66, maintaining a strong lead throughout the game. This victory secured the Bulldogs’ spot at 25th in the rankings, improving their season record to 11-1. Memphis, now at 9-3, faced challenges, particularly with turnovers and shooting struggles. Both teams will need to adjust their strategies as they prepare for upcoming matchups, with Mississippi State proving to be a strong contender in the SEC.
Mississippi State Bulldogs Steal the Show in Memphis Showdown
Memphis, TN – The Mississippi State Bulldogs made quite a statement on Saturday as they took down the Memphis Tigers with a solid score of 79-66 at the FedExForum. This thrilling matchup showcased the Bulldogs’ strength as they moved up to the 25th position in the rankings, improving their impressive season record to 11-1.
A Strong Start and Steady Lead
From the opening whistle, it was clear that Mississippi State came ready to play. They jumped out to an early lead, establishing an 11-point advantage with just over 13 minutes left in the first half. The Bulldogs managed to maintain a double-digit lead for the remainder of the game, showcasing their dominance on the court.
Meanwhile, Memphis, who came into the game ranked 22nd, now stands at 9-3 for the season after suffering consecutive losses at home. Prior to this matchup, they had lost to Arkansas State on December 8 in a tough contest, showing signs of struggle after previously holding a record of 17 wins in their last 20 games against power-conference opponents. The Tigers had also found success with a streak of seven consecutive home wins against such teams before this week’s conflict.
Leading Scorers and Team Performance
For Memphis, it was PJ Haggerty who shined the brightest, scoring 24 points for his team, followed closely by Tyrese Hunter, who contributed 19 points. However, the rest of the squad only managed to rack up 23 points collectively. They were fighting hard, netting 13 points in the final moments of the match, but it wasn’t enough to sway the outcome. The woes continued with the Tigers committing 18 turnovers, which allowed Mississippi State to capitalize on these mistakes for a whopping 25 points.
Mississippi State’s Solid Strategy
As the game progressed, the Bulldogs built their lead to 58-37 with 12:23 left on the clock, thanks to a stellar shooting performance of 49% from the field and an impressive 50% from beyond the arc. Riley Kugel made noteworthy contributions as he scored 15 points in the first half alone.
In contrast, Memphis struggled with their shooting, especially in the first half where they only managed a woeful 31% and failed to hit any three-pointers in the second half. They finished the game with a shooting percentage of 35.8%, not quite the effort they were hoping for playing on their home turf.
Looking Ahead
Now, with this latest setback behind them, Memphis will need to regroup as they prepare to take on Ole Miss at 1 p.m. on ESPN2. Tyrese Hunter’s ongoing knee injury remains a concern, although he hasn’t missed any games thus far. On the other hand, the Bulldogs, with a deep and versatile lineup, are proving their mettle in the SEC and are poised to be strong contenders for the championship.
The Mississippi State squad, now showcasing their depth in scoring, understands how to win matches even when their star player isn’t in the spotlight leading the scoring charts. This consistent performance is a promising sign for their future matches.
In essence, the showdown in Memphis not only highlighted the skills of Mississippi State but also raised questions about Memphis’s strategy, especially with the turnovers playing a significant role in their defeat. As both teams look ahead, fans are sure to be eager for the next round of action.
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Additional Resources
- Commercial Appeal: Memphis vs. Mississippi State Game Updates
- Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State-Memphis College Basketball Analysis
- Action Network: Mississippi State vs. Memphis Predictions
- Google Search: Mississippi State Memphis basketball
- Wikipedia: Memphis Tigers
