MSU’S effort at Vanderbilt comes up short at the end

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In a game that went right down to the wire, the Mississippi State Bulldogs came up just short.

Jordan Wright went 4 for 4 from the freethrow line in the final seconds and finished with 19 points, Ezra Manjon had 15 points and seven assists and the Vanderbilt Commodores beat the Bulldogs 77-72 Saturday night in the regularseason finale for both teams.

“I thought the whole first half we just didn't play well offensively or defensively for the most part,” MSU head coach Chris Jans said. “Offensively, we had 11 turnovers and we struggled to finish early. It like we wanted it too bad or something. It was almost like they were too hyped and were rushing things a little bit. Obviously, it was a physical game and the turnovers were just tough to overcome.”

Tyrin Lawrence and Wright sandwiched 3-pointers around back-to-back baskets by

Emmanuel Ansong to make it 10-3 and the Commodores never trailed. Colin Smith hit a 3 before Manjon made a layup less than a minute into the second half that stretched the lead to 42-27 — Vanderbilt's biggest of the game. Tolu Smith scored nine straight points to pull the Bulldogs within six about 2 minutes later, and Mississippi State twice trimmed its deficit to two points — the latter coming when D.J. Jeffries made a jumper with 8 seconds to play — but got no closer.

Smith led Mississippi State (20-11, 8-10) with a career-high tying 27 points and 11 rebounds. Jeffries added 17 points and 11 rebounds and Shakeel Moore scored 13 points.

“It wasn't a lack of effort by the Bulldogs,”jans said. “I'm very disappointed. I'm hurt. It stings but I'm impressed with our guys, proud of our guys.”

The Bulldogs will turn their attention to the Southeastern Conference Tournament and won't have to play until Thursday against Florida at noon.