Bulldogs 2nd Half Surge Too Much for Auburn

In the first half it looked like Auburn was going to continue the momentum from their upset over Tennessee on Wednesday. They were aggressive on offense and knocked down the open shots. Mississippi State didn't help themselves any, committing 9 turnovers and shooting just 34% in the first half. Auburn led by as much as 9 and would hold a 37-31 lead going into halftime. Entering this game, MSU was 0-6 when trailing at halftime. You could practically see their NCAA tournament hopes, and maybe even their NIT hopes, evaporating before your eyes. Maybe thats a bit overboard, but I'm not all that rational during a game.

Then the 2nd half happened. Reginald Delk led the way initially scoring 9 points, all on threes, in the first 41/2 minutes of the half. The last of which put MSU ahead 46-45. Turnovers on the next two possession by Rhodes and Gordon were taken advantage of by Auburn, letting them retake the lead 49-46. Richard Delk would then hit two free throws followed by Barry Stewart draining three pointers on three of the next four possessions. This left MSU with a 59-55 lead and they would never look back, stretching the lead as far as 13. Auburn did threaten at the end, closing the gap to 79-74 with 1:24 left, but the Bulldogs did something they rarely do to put the game away at this point.....make all their free throws. The 87-76 victory improved their record to 11-6(2-2).

Reginald Delk and Barry Stewart carried the team in term of scoring, combining for 42 points. Stewart led all scorers with 22 off the bench, and was 10/10 on free throws. After this game, consider me officially on the Barry Stewart bandwagon. Actually, I probably jumped on after the Miami game, but now it's official. He is second on the team in ppg coming off the bench and probably the best 3-point and free throw shooter on the team, and still a freshman. Out of high school he was being offered by the likes of East Carolina and Middle Tennessee State, until MSU stumbled upon him almost as an afterthought. Amazing, how did nobody want this kid? Barring any unfortunate circumstances, he's going to be a great one. Second on the team in scoring as a freshman, imagine what he'll be doing as a senior.

Jamont Gordon has 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists, giving him his third double-double of the season. He did have 5 turnovers, but MSU won so I won't harp on that. Besides, he does plenty of other things extremely well. Rhodes and Slater both put up 13 points and Slater added 4 assists and 8 rebounds. Slater is another player, along with Stewart, who is providing very high level production off the bench. Ben Hansbrough didn't score a point, but had 7 assists and just 1 turnover.

They took care of business at home, just like they were supposed to. The first half was less than impressive but the final score is all that counts. The SEC West is wide open right now with Alabama, LSU, and Mississippi State all tied for the lead at 2-2. It's doubtful that MSU will be able to take the West, but stranger things have happened I guess. The next opponent for Mississippi State is Florida. For only the second time the #1 team in the country will be coming to The Hump (the first being Kentucky in 1978). I don't foresee an upset, but then again "on any given night" right?