Box Score
UALR falls at Mississippi State, 83-53
Dec. 11, 2004
Box score
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Mississippi State closed the
first half on a 15-0 run to break open the game, and UALR fell to the
22nd-ranked Bulldogs, 83-53, Saturday night at Humphrey Coliseum.
The loss moves UALR to 4-4 on the year, while MSU
improves to 7-2.
Zack Wright came off the bench to lead UALR with 15
and Darius Eason scored 12. Reigning Southeastern Conference Player of the
Year Lawrence Roberts was the lone Bulldog in double figures with 27
points.
"Lawrence Roberts is a very good player," UALR coach
Steve Shields said, "and we let him get loose."
Roberts scored 21 in the first half and played just
12 minutes in the second.
The Trojans hung tough through most of the first
half, trailing just 27-24 with 5:00 to play. But a trey by Roberts began
the 15-0 scoring streak by the Bulldogs. Roberts hit four free throws
during the run, and closed it with a jumper with 30 seconds remaining in
the half to give MSU a 42-24 lead going into the break.
Mississippi State continued the streak to begin the
second period, scoring six unanswered points before Columbus Willis hit a
three-pointer for the Trojans -- his first of the year -- to pull UALR to
within 48-27. That was as close as the Trojans would get the rest of the
way.
"We knew Mississippi State was a very good
basketball team," Shields said. "They're so physical off the glass."
MSU outrebounded UALR 55-23, and led in offensive
rebounds 23-4.
Shields said he told his team they must now regroup
before hosting St. Bonaventure at 7 p.m. on Friday at Alltel Arena.
"We've got to bounce back from this," he said. "Not
just the players, but I have to, too."
