Mississippi St defeats Utah 74-82
Mississippi St Edges Utah in Thrilling Comeback Victory
The Delta Center played host to a non-conference showdown between Mississippi St and Utah, with the Bulldogs emerging victorious in an 82-74 thriller.
At halftime, the home team Utah held a 10-point lead, outscoring Mississippi St 42-32. However, the Bulldogs refused to back down, fueled by a fierce second-half effort that saw them erase the deficit and take control of the contest.
Ja'Borri McGhee led the way for Mississippi St with 29 points, showcasing his impressive shooting range as he knocked down five three-pointers on 5-7 from beyond the arc. Quincy Ballard chipped in with seven rebounds and six points, while Josh Hubbard contributed three assists and 13 points to the Bulldogs' cause.
In contrast, Utah's Don McHenry paced the Utes with a season-high 29 points, shooting an impressive 56.2% from the field on 5-9 three-pointers. Kendyl Sanders led Utah in rebounding with seven boards, while Terrence Brown dished out three assists and scored 22 points.
The Bulldogs' comeback was fueled by their ability to contain Utah's offense, holding them to just 8 points in the final five minutes of the game. Mississippi St capitalized on the opportunity, pouring in 14 fast-break points off turnovers to take control of the contest.
Utah's largest lead came with 7:45 remaining in the second half, but the Bulldogs responded by scoring eight unanswered points to cut the deficit to just three. The Utes attempted to close out the game, but Mississippi St's defense held strong, allowing just six points over the final two minutes to seal the victory.
The win marks a significant upset for Mississippi St, who were favored to lose by four points going into the contest. The Bulldogs' performance showcases their resilience and ability to execute under pressure, setting them up nicely for the remainder of their non-conference schedule.
Utah, on the other hand, falls to 0-1 in conference play, but will look to bounce back against a tough opponent next week. For now, Mississippi St takes the win and moves forward with momentum from this impressive comeback victory.