State extends Rebs’ misery

Ole Miss’ NCAA hopes take big hit

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi State had a 13-game losing streak, only seven scholarship players and every reason in the world to roll over for Ole Miss on Saturday in front of a twothirds filled Humphrey Coliseum.

Instead, the Bulldogs pulled off a stunning 73-67 victory over their archrival that ended nearly two months of misery.

“We just found a way,” Mississippi State coach Rick Ray said. “It seemed like the last (few minutes) lasted longer than the whole second half combined. I just wanted the clock to go.”

Borchert scored a career-high 21 points, Gavin Ware added 12 and Mississippi State finally enjoyed a win for the first time since a Jan. 12 road victory over Georgia.

When it was over, several players and Ray celebrated with the crowd, which needed some good news after a trying season that’s included plenty of injuries, suspensions and defections.

Now it also includes a galvanizing — and unexpected — victory.

Mississippi State (820, 3-13 SEC) led almost the entire game, pushing back every Ole Miss rally in the second half. Roquez Johnson returned from a three- game suspension for breaking team rules to score 10 points and grab five rebounds for Mississippi State.

Ole Miss (21- 8, 10- 6) lost for the sixth time in 10 games. Murphy Holloway led the Rebels with 22 points and 19 rebounds. The SEC’s leading scorer, Marshall Henderson, had 16 points for Ole Miss but shot just 4 of 19 from the field, including 3 of 18 from 3-point range.

The setback puts a huge dent in Ole Miss’ NCAA tournament hopes.

“Right from the jump, Mississippi State was playing like the team that was fighting for their NCAA tournament lives,” Ole Miss coach Andy Kennedy said. “I have no explanation for that. I’d like to sit up here as the leader of this program and offer some poignant answer or explanation, but I have none. It’s inexcusable. I have no idea how that happens, frankly.”

Ole Miss jumped out to an early 5-0 lead, but from then, Mississippi State was the aggressor.

Borchert hit 3 of 4 3-point attempts on the way to 11 first-half points, helping the Bulldogs build a 34-30 halftime lead.

The 6-foot- 8 junior was terrific for most of the night, finishing from long range and close to the rim. After he hit the early 3-pointers, Ole Miss played him tight, but then he would drive to the rim and score.

Borchert made 7 of 10 shots from the field and added seven rebounds and three assists.