Bulldogs headed to Columbia

By By Tony Krausz / assistant sports editor
Feb. 9, 2004
With or without a coach, Mississippi State University proved it could get the job done on the basketball court on Saturday.
The No. 7-ranked Bulldogs picked up their sixth straight win against the Ole Miss Rebels 80-56 at Humphrey Coliseum, after MSU head coach Rick Stansbury was called for two technical fouls and eject from the game in the opening six minutes.
MSU (19-1, 8-1 Southeastern Conference) looked frazzled at first by the early departure of the team's coach, as Ole Miss (11-9, 3-6 SEC) built a 27-18 lead with 3:13 left in the first half following Stansbury's ejection.
The Bulldogs regrouped and out-scored the Rebels 11-2 in the closing minutes of the first to take a 31-29 halftime lead. MSU looked even better in the second half, knocking down 16-of-26 shots to take its 15th double-digit win of the season.
MSU may have to show its mettle without Stansbury again on when the team faces South Carolina (19-4, 6-3 SEC) on the road Wednesday.
Stansbury could face a one-game suspension for his actions after being ejected from the game, which included the coach making a choking motion at the referee on his way off the floor.
With or without Stansbury on the sideline, the Bulldogs will be facing a tough test against the No. 25 Gamecocks.
South Carolina lost its last game to No. 9 Kentucky on Saturday, but the Gamecocks are ranked third in scoring in the league and fifth in defense.
The Bulldogs are set to tip off against the Gamecocks at 6:30 p.m. in Columbia, S.C.
MSU closes the week with another road game on Saturday.
The Bulldogs will take on the Arkansas Razorbacks at 7 p.m. in Fayetteville, Ark. MSU won the first meeting with Arkansas 80-62 at home on Jan. 10.
Ole Miss will have a full week to prepare for its next game, after suffering its second double-digit loss to in-state rival MSU.
The Rebels will host Auburn (12-8, 3-6 SEC) in a 5 p.m. game on Saturday at Tad Smith Coliseum. Fox Sports Net will televise the game.
Ole Miss will be looking for redemption against Auburn, which blew out the Rebels 80-53 on Jan. 10.
The University of Southern Mississippi returns to action this week after having the weekend off with a Wednesday game against the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
The Golden Eagles (11-8, 4-4 Conference USA) have won their last two games, both on the road.
USM is set to tip off against UAB (13-6, 6-2 C-USA) at 7 p.m. at home.
The Eagles follow the home game with a road contest against South Florida (6-12, 0-7 C-USA) at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Alcorn State (6-13, 5-5 SWAC) enters the week coming off a stunning win over Jackson State on the road.
The Braves downed the Tigers 66-59 last Saturday, and they will go for their second straight win in a 7:30 p.m. contest today against Grambling State (7-13, 5-5 SWAC) on the road.
Alcorn State closes the week against Mississippi Valley State in a 7:30 p.m. game on Saturday at home.
Jackson State (9-11, 7-3 SWAC) will try to rebound from its loss at home against Southern (8-11, 5-5 SWAC) at 7:30 p.m. today.
The Tigers will follow the home game with a 7:30 p.m. Saturday road game against Prairie View A&M (4-15, 4-6 SWAC).
Mississippi Valley State (14-6, 8-2 SWAC) obtained sole possession of first place in the conference with a 72-58 win over Alabama State on Saturday.
The Delta Devils will try to extend their first place lead with a 7:30 p.m. game today against Alabama A&M (8-10, 6-4 SWAC) at home.