The previous three games between LSU and Mississippi State have been decided by a total of four points, including the Tigers’ defeat of State last year at the Hump, and Wednesday night’s game was more of the same. In a back and forth game, State pulled out a 76-71 victory, again in dramatic fashion.
After a thrilling overtime win at Vanderbilt in their last outing, the Dogs could not afford a lack-luster performance before preparing for their next game against No. 14 Florida.
LSU, who had won two of its last three games in Starkville, maintained the lead throughout the first half of the game. Sophomore Jalen Steele led the way for the Dogs in the half with 10 points, creating an 8-0 run on his own at one point in the half. Steele had back-to-back three-pointers to keep State in the game and tie it at 28.
Senior Dee Bost said Steele’s ability to come in and make shots changes the team’s offense for the better.
“Jalen gives us a big spurt off the bench, and that’s what we need. He brings a lot of scoring off the bench, and we need his three-pointers in games,” Bost said. “Our offense is a lot different when he makes shots because we have someone on the perimeter that can make shots, so teams can’t help off as much.”
In addition to Steele’s big first half, a steal and lay up by junior Arnett Moultrie closed the gap for the Dogs, heading into halftime down just one point.
Moultrie owned the paint in the second half, scoring 19 points with four offensive rebounds. He recorded his league-leading twelfth double-double with 28 points, tying a career-high, and 12 rebounds. Also, MSU improved to 8-0 when Moultrie scores 20 or more points.
Moultrie said he felt good in the shoot-around before the game, so he knew he was going to have a good game.
“I wanted to come out aggressively and have a good rebounding game,” Moultrie said. “I think my athleticism and quickness bothered them a lot; they had me boxed out, but they couldn’t seal me off, and I got to the loose balls.”
State’s interior defense held LSU junior Justin Hamilton, who is leading the league in scoring in conference games, to just 11 points and five rebounds.
Overall, the Dogs out-rebounded the Tigers 46-26, and LSU head coach Trent Johnson said that was the deciding factor in the game.
“Mississippi State dominated us on the glass; we had a hard time putting a body on them, especially Moultrie,” Johnson said. “Our guys lost their aggressiveness and got tentative. That game was decided on the glass.”
For LSU, freshman Johnny O’Bryant III saw his first SEC action after being out with a broken bone in his left hand. The 6’9 forward finished with six points and four rebounds in 20 minutes of action.
Down the stretch, the game got interesting. The Dogs seemed to have the game in hand, but with 1:09 left, Tiger freshman Anthony Hickey capitalized on an MSU turnover and drilled a three. Hickey then stole the ball and drained another three to cut the lead to 68-65.
After a pair of free throws by Bost, LSU sophomore Ralston Turned hit a three to bring the Tigers within two. Two free throws by MSU freshman Rodney Hood were followed by yet another three from Hickey, cutting the Dogs’ lead to a single point.
Steele hit two clutch free throws, and with only seconds remaining, Bost stole the ball and threw it to Moultrie, who was fouled and hit two free throws to seal the game.
 ”We didn’t have our edge tonight, but you’re not going to have your edge every night, and you have to survive when you don’t have the edge,” Stansbury said. “That rebounding stat is the stat that saved us. It was one of those games you just have to find a way to gut it out.”
Steele finished the game with 15 points, going 3-4 from three-point range. Hood had another strong showing, recording 13 points and five rebounds. Junior Renardo Sidney, who was feeling under the weather before the game, made only one shot and had four rebounds and six turnovers along with being plagued by foul trouble throughout the game.
State moved to 4-2 in SEC play and will look to improve that record tomorrow at Florida. Tip off is set for 12:30 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.