Strong Second Half Launches Mississippi State Past Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — After trailing 38-32 at the break, a second half surge fueled Mississippi State to a 77-67 win over Arkansas Saturday night at Bud Walton Arena.

With the win the Bulldogs improve to 18-7 (6-6 SEC), while Arkansas falls to 14-11 (5-7 SEC).

Arkansas jumped out to a 5-0 lead to start the game, but MSU quickly stormed back to tie things up at 6-6. Both teams traded baskets early on with the Razorbacks holding the lead until the 11:02 mark when the Bulldogs tied it up again at 14-14.

Neither team saw a lead more than four points until the final minute when a Razorbacks three pointer made it 36-30 with 52 seconds remaining in the first stanza. Quinndary Weatherspoon knocked down a pair of free throws before a razorback jumper made it 38-32 going into the half.

Arkansas scored the first two points of the second half on two free throws, but the Bulldogs then went on a 23-1 run to take a 14-point lead with 12:01 left in the game.

However, the Razorbacks refused to go away coming back within nine points with a score of 66-57 with 3:16 remaining.

Weatherspoon then knocked down a three to up the lead back to 12. The Bulldogs never looked back and went on to win the Southeastern Conference showdown 77-67.

Weatherspoon finished with a team-high 22 points two rebounds and three assists. He also tied a career-high with six steals.

Tyson Carter chipped in with 18 points, three rebounds and four assists. Reggie Perry turned in a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds while Robert Woodard II also scored in double figures with 10 points to go with four rebounds.

The Bulldogs outscored the Razorbacks 45-29 in the second half and held a 36-22 edge in paint points in the game. The Bulldog defense also limited Arkansas to just 28.57% shooting in the second half.

State will now travels to Athens, Georgia, to face the Georgia Bulldogs on Wednesday at Stegeman Coliseum. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. CT by SEC Network.