Mississippi State Bulldogs down Florida Atlantic Owls 75-68 - NCAA Basketball
Florida Atlantic Owls had defeated college powerhouses Mississippi State Bulldogs in an upset last season and both teams were meeting again for the first time this season again. Although the Bulldogs were the clear favourites,
but after what happened last year, an exciting encounter was expected.
It turned out to be one.
However this time, Bulldogs managed to hold their nerves and avenged their loss by overpowering the Owls 75-68 courtesy of their star player Dee Bost, who pounded 22 points in this game.
Bulldogs were in the driving seat by the end of first half, however in the next half, Owls came from behind and not only slashed the lead but got ahead with 9 minutes remaining. That is when Dee and the second highest scorer from
Bulldogs, Rodney Hood jumped to the rescue and salvaged a win for the Bulldogs.
Rodney Hood was outstanding and completed a double-double, scoring 19 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Jalen Steele (12) and Renardo Sidney (10) played the supporting role to perfection and pulled down a combined of 15 rebounds.
Raymond Taylor marshalled Owls with 20 points including 4 for 7 from the free throw line, whereas Pablo Bertone added 14. Kore White had 12 points and 7 rebounds.
Hood, Bost and Sidney got the Bulldogs off to a 15-4 start. They were ahead by 21-9 when the Owls initiated a 13-6 run to get back in the hunt at 27-22. Bost and Hood however again scored quickly in the last few minutes of the
frame to take the lead to double digits 39-29 by the end of half.
Owls started the next frame with a 10-2 spurt, capped by Greg Gantt’s jumper to make it 39-41 in the favour of Bulldogs. However, they failed to take advantage from the position as the lead again swelled to double digits, 54-44,
in next few minutes.
Owls responded though and reeled off a 11-0 run to get ahead 55-54 for the first time in the game.
The next few minutes were close and the lead kept on shifting. The Owls were behind just by 1 point 63-62 with 4 minutes remaining, however in ensuing passage, they failed to penetrate the D and lost out.
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