The largest crowd to ever watch a college basketball game in Mississippi held its breath as Ole Miss guard Aaron Harper separated from traffic and got off an uncontested three-point attempt as time expired Saturday. But as Mississippi State guards Derrick Zimmerman and Timmy Bowers fought for the rebound, the crowd burst into celebration. “That (Harper) was my man as they came down the floor,” said MSU senior forward Marckell Patterson. “We were supposed to switch on a screen, but we didn’t, and he got wide open. When he let it go, I thought it was in.”
Just 6 seconds before Harper’s three attempt, Patterson sunk two free throws to push MSU ahead 61-59. With starting point guard Zimmerman on the bench with an injured elbow, Patterson dribbled into traffic and was fouled as he went up for a shot.
“He (David Sanders) got me good,” said Patterson with a smile. “I don’t really remember where he got me, but I think it was on the wrist.”
MSU (21-7, 8-6 SEC) was led on the evening by Patterson who posted 13 points despite not making any of his three three-point attempts.
Mario Austin and Michal Ignerski also chipped in 12 and 11 points respectively. Zimmerman added nine points, seven assists and four rebounds. “I think our team did a great job of really working hard,” said MSU head coach Rick Stansbury. “With Mario in foul trouble we were not really able to get into any kind of rhythm on offense.”
Ole Miss was led by Harper and Sanders, each with 14 points on the evening.
Justin Reed also helped out with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
The Rebels opened up a six-point lead after the first 20 minutes of play at 36-30. Ole Miss went 7-10 from three-point range during the first half with Sanders and Harper each hitting 3-3 from behind the stripe. The Bulldogs, however, were not as accurate shooting 43 percent from the field including 2-8 from long range.
The Bulldogs turned up the defense in the second half and limited Ole Miss to just 38 percent from the field including 2-10 from three-point range. MSU still could not find the long range shot going just 1-7, but did shoot 52 percent from the field and hit 8-12 free throws.
“We did not play a good game. That is why I am so proud of this win,” said Stansbury. “Our kids just went out there and found a way to win. They knew they had to go out there and make basketball plays, and we just made more tonight.”
Although the Bulldogs, one of the best rebounding teams in the SEC, were outrebounded by eight, the key to the MSU victory was protecting the basketball. The Bulldogs only turned the ball over nine times while contributing 16 assists.
“Turnovers are basically fundamental flaws,” said MSU assistant coach Stan Jones. “Tonight we did a good job of getting into our offense and taking care of responsibilities.”
MSU has the chance to finish second in the SEC West after beating Ole Miss, but they still have two tough games left to play. The first will be against the University of Arkansas (13-12, 5-8) tomorrow night.
The Razorbacks come into the game averaging 70 points per contest while allowing 73. Scoring leaders for Arkansas are Jannero Pargo with 16 points per game, Brandon Dean with 12 and J.J. Sullinger adding 10.
Arkansas won the last contest between these two teams 75-64 in Fayetteville and was led by Pargo with 18 points.
“The big thing with them (Arkansas) is you can’t let them speed you up out of your gameplan,” said Jones. “You have to go out and make basketball plays. You also have to be able to play good perimeter defense, not allowing Pargo and Dean good looks at the basket.”
The game is set for 7 p.m. at the Humphrey Coliseum tomorrow and will be a regional television broadcast on Jefferson Pilot.
The Bulldogs final game of the regular season will be on Saturday, when they take on Eastern Division opponent South Carolina in Columbia. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. and will be televised on Jefferson Pilot.