It’s a final: MSU 66, Alabama 56

Wins at Coleman Coliseum are mighty rare for Mississippi State.

Until Saturday, that is.

The Bulldogs won their eighth in a row with the win, and if you’re counting, that’s four straight against the Tiders.

Four?

Yep. Two in a row for football and now two straight in basketball.

Oh, and MSU had quite the number of fans here today. In fact, the last five minutes of the game it was as if this game was at the Hump.

Now, it’s off for a few days until the Egg Bowl on the hardcourt next Saturday in Starkville.

At the half, the Bulldogs lead

Mississippi Sate 33, Alabama 28

Interesting first half of basketball. Despite being called for a lot, and I mean a lot, of fouls, MSU holds the five-point lead thanks to a 3-pointer by Ben Hansbrough, who has drained two treys today despite playing with a broken finger on his left hand.

Here’s a few stats . . .
• Bama is 9 of 23 from the floor, while State is 12 of 28.
• The Tide is 9 of 17 at the line, while MSU is 2 of 6.
• MSU leads the battle of the boards, 20-16, but Tide has more blocked shots, 6-2.
• Richard Hendrix leads Bama with 9 points, while Barry Stewart and Jamont Gordon have 10 each. Gordon also has three fouls. Speaking of fouls, State has 12 and Bama 6.
• There have been four ties and five lead changes.
• MSU has committed  six turnovers and  the Tide seven.

A look at MSU and Alabama

Series: Alabama leads 110-67
Last year: MSU won 91-67 in Starkville, and Alabama won 80-79 in Tuscaloosa.
Coaches: Mississippi State – Rick Stansbury (197-109, 10th year); Alabama – Mark Gottfried (192-115, 10th year at Alabama, 260-139 in 13th season overall).

Notes:
• In the last 20 meetings, this series is tied at 10-apiece.
• The Bulldogs haven’t started 4-0 in SEC play since 1994.
• Since divisional play began in 1992, MSU was won in Tuscaloosa only four times.
• Sophomore guard Ben Hansbrough is dressed out and could play today. As for how much, it’s not known.

Probable Starters
Mississippi State (12-5, 3-0)
G – Phil Turner 6-3 RFr. 5.7p
G – Barry Stewart 6-2 So. 11.8p
G – Jamont Gordon 6-4 Jr. 17.5p
F – Charles Rhodes 6-8 Sr. 14.8p
F – Jarvis Varnado 6-9 So. 7.4p
Top reserves: G Ravern Johnson, F Brian Johnson
Alabama (11-7, 0-3)
G – Alonzo Gee 6-6 Jr. 16.1p
G – Rico Pickett 6-4 Fr. 6.6p
F – Richard Hendrix 6-8 Jr. 19.2p
F – Demetrius Jemison 6-7 So. 5.2p
F – Mykal Riley 6-6 Sr. 13.6p
Top reserves: G Justin Tubbs, G Brandon Hollinger