MISSISSIPPI STATE

MSU's first true road test ends with loss to UMKC

Associated Press
Mississippi State lost to UMKC 72-67.

A career night for Malik Newman wasn't enough to give Mississippi State a road win Saturday. The Bulldogs failed their first true road test of the season in Kansas City with a 72-67 loss to UMKC.

Newman scored 18 points to lead MSU. His previous high was 17 points. The McDonald's All-American also had four rebounds.

Three other Bulldogs reached double figures, including Gavin Ware and Craig Sword, but both fouled out. The seniors finished with 12 points. Ware also grabbed seven rebounds. Sword had five assists and three boards. I.J. Ready, who missed two practices earlier in the week, scored 11 points.

The loss drops Mississippi State (4-4) back to .500 on the season and 1-4 away from Humphrey Coliseum. The Bulldogs had won three in a row.

Newman drained a deep 3-pointer for Mississippi State three minutes into the second half to give the Bulldogs their first lead since four minutes remained in the first half. UMKC responded a minute later with a layup to tie the game.

Quinndary Weatherspoon swished a 3-pointer to give Mississippi State a 62-61 lead with 3:13 to go. On the inbounds pass, Weatherspoon stole the ball and his layup gave Mississippi State a three-point lead. The freshman finished with seven points.

The Kangarooos' Martez Harrison responded with consecutive 3-pointers to give UMKC a three-point lead with one minute to play.

"We didn't handle that situation very well," Mississippi State coach Ben Howland said of the late three-point lead.

Harrison scored 21 points to lead all scorers .

Newman was fouled at the other end and made 1 of 2 free throws. With 21 seconds remaining, Harrison was fouled and made both free throws. Seven seconds later, Shayok Shayok added two more free throws to ensure the win.

TIP-INs

UMKC (6-4) led 31-29 at halftime.

The game was tied 10 times and the lead changed hands 11 times.

WHAT'S NEXT

Mississippi State remains on the road after the loss. The Bulldogs travel to Florida State on Dec. 16. They return home for a matchup with Tulane on Dec. 19.