Can Mississippi State's Paint Domination and Assists Overcome Kentucky's Precision?
In a high-scoring affair at Rupp Arena, the Mississippi State Bulldogs fell to the Kentucky Wildcats with a final score of 77-90. The Bulldogs' season record now stands at an unranked position, while the Wildcats boast a rank of 8. Despite their efforts, the Bulldogs could not secure victory against their ranked opponents.
The Mississippi State Bulldogs showcased a robust offensive effort inside the paint with 44 points contributed in that area. Their ball movement was also noteworthy as they racked up an impressive 22 assists throughout the game. However, this was not enough to overcome their rivals on this occasion.
The team from Mississippi State demonstrated tenacity on defense as well, managing to steal the ball nine times from their opponents. They were also able to convert these opportunities into 14 points off turnovers, showing an ability to capitalize on Kentucky's mistakes.
On offense, the Bulldogs had a solid shooting performance from two-point range with a successful rate of 52 percent but struggled beyond the arc at only 33 percent accuracy. They attempted more field goals than Kentucky with 69 shots but were less efficient overall with a field goal percentage of just 45 percent compared to Kentucky's sharpshooting at 56 percent.
Mississippi State did excel in generating second-chance opportunities by grabbing ten offensive rebounds leading to an additional tally of 21 second-chance points. The team also maintained discipline by committing no team turnovers and keeping personal fouls to eighteen for the entire game duration.
Despite these positive aspects for Mississippi State, it was ultimately not enough against a strong Kentucky side that excelled particularly in free throw accuracy (85 percent) and two-point shooting (74 percent). The Wildcats' defensive presence was felt too; they blocked seven shots and limited Mississippi State’s chances for easy baskets.
Looking ahead after this tough road loss, fans can mark their calendars for when 'the' Mississippi State Bulldogs will return home to face 'the' Vanderbilt Commodores at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville on January 20th at 2:30 PM local time. This upcoming matchup will be broadcast nationally on SEC Network channel number six hundred eleven for all supporters eager to watch 'the' Bulldogs compete once again.