CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Thursday marked the fourth time since 2009 that Mississippi State basketball made an NCAA Event look. It additionally marked the fourth time in as many journeys that the Bulldogs are returning to Starkville after just one March Insanity contest.
The No. 8 seed Bulldogs (21-14) have been eradicated within the first spherical of the NCAA Event on Thursday at Spectrum Middle, shedding 69-51 in opposition to No. 9 seed Michigan State (20-14).
Mississippi State fell behind by 12 early. Although the Bulldogs trimmed the deficit to 5 late within the first half, they struggled to maintain it inside 10 all through the second half.
On the opposite finish, Mississippi State could not string collectively stops regardless of Michigan State turning it over 16 occasions. The Spartans shot 50% from the sector and had three gamers rating in double figures.
Tolu Smith struggles once more for Mississippi State
Mississippi State ahead Tolu Smith scored 21 factors in a Feb. 27 loss in opposition to Kentucky. Since then, he hasn’t regarded the a part of the All-SEC honors he acquired – averaging 10.3 factors throughout six video games main into the NCAA Event.
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Thursday was a lot of the identical, with Smith solely scoring two factors within the first half and ending with 9 factors. He was 3-5 from the sector.
Josh Hubbard, Tyson Walker ship early in March Insanity
Freshman guard Josh Hubbard has constantly delivered in huge moments for Mississippi State this season. His first style of March Insanity who no totally different.
Hubbard was the lone constant supply of offense for the Bulldogs within the first half, scoring 13 of how 15 factors. He missed his first two photographs from the sector, however he related on 5 of his final seven earlier than halftime.
Hubbard’s early efforts have been matched by Michigan State guard Tyson Walker. The graduate guard scored 10 of his 19 factors within the opening interval, together with six factors throughout an early 10-0 run for the Spartans.
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Mississippi State falls behind early with Cameron Matthews sidelined
Michigan State constructed a lead as massive as 12 within the first half, and it got here with Mississippi State ahead Cameron Matthews sidelined with foul hassle.
Matthews picked up an offensive foul lower than two minutes into the competition. Shortly after, he picked up his second and was substituted out earlier than the primary media timeout. By the point he returned to the court docket with 10:21 to play, Michigan State had gone on a 15-4 run.
Matthews, who was a plus-2 within the first half, helped trim the deficit to seven earlier than halftime.
Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat author for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at [email protected] or observe him on the X platform, previously often known as Twitter, @skrajisnik3.