Jarnell Stokes (AP photo)
SEC basketball games on Saturday:
Mississippi State 78, Vanderbilt 77 (ot): Mississippi State bounced back from a disappointing Wednesday loss at Ole Miss to hand the Commodores their first conference defeat. And Rick Stansbury’s team accomplished the feat in Memorial Gym. Dee Bost led MSU with 24 points. Arnett Moultrie scored 21 points and grabbed 14 rebounds. Jalen Steele was the star off the bench, scoring 15 points for State, nailing five of eight three-pointers. State made 10 of 20 threes as a team. Vandy made 14 threes, out of 27 attempts. John Jenkins was five-of-11. But after shooting 44 free throws in a big win at Alabama last week, Kevin Stallings’ team made it to the free throw line just nine times, making five. Vandy plays host to Tennessee on Tuesday night. Mississippi State entertains LSU on Wednesday.
Tennessee 60, Connecticut 57: In just his third college game, Jarnell Stokes produced his first double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing 12 rebounds to lead the Vols to a victory over the defending national champions. Stokes made six of 10 shots and was just four of nine from the free throw line, but his dozen rebounds were a game-high. Cameron Tatum scored 15 points for the winners. Playing without Ryan Boatwright, Connecticut did get 23 points from Jeremy Lamb, but the Huskies shot just 36.4 percent against Cuonzo Martin’s defense. While Stokes’ shined, Andre Drummond scored just six points and blocked just one shot for UConn. Tennessee is at Vanderbilt on Tuesday night.
Florida 76, LSU 64: Florida shot 56.3 percent and put five players in double figures to beat the Tigers in Gainesville. Erik Murphy led the way, making six-of-seven shots and scoring 15 points. Still bothered by an ankle injury, Florida center Patric Young did not start, but he did play 24 minutes and lead the winners with seven rebounds. Justin Hamilton scored 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a losing cause. Trent Johnson’s team made it to the free throw line just five times, making three. Kentucky Mr. Basketball Anthony Hickey had 10 points for LSU, making four of 10 shots, including two-of-six from the three-point line. LSU travels to Mississippi State on Wednesday night. Florida is at Ole Miss on Thursday.
Auburn 63, South Carolina 52: South Carolina held a 28-24 halftime lead, but got crushed 39-24 in the second half. Frankie Sullivan scored 22 points for the winners. Kenny Gabriel had 16 points and seven rebounds. South Carolina did not place a single player in double figures and committed 23 turnovers. After losing to Kentucky, Auburn has won two of its last three. South Carolina is winless in its four SEC games. Auburn is at Arkansas on Wednesday. South Carolina plays host to Alabama on Wednesday.
Ole Miss 66, Georgia 63: Ole Miss built a 33-24 halftime lead, then held on to get a road win in Athens. Terrance Henry scored 24 points and snatched 10 rebounds for the Rebels, who shot 48.9 percent from the field. Georgia got 25 points from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who hit three-pointers. But Mark Fox’s team could not build on the momentum of beating Tennessee on Wednesday. Georgia committed just eight turnovers, but shot just 36.5 percent.
Arkansas 66, Michigan 64: Arkansas helped Kentucky’s RPI with a win over the visiting Wolverines. Arkansas had lost at Kentucky 86-63 on Tuesday, but Mike Anderson’s club roared to a 46-33 halftime lead then held on to beat Michigan. B.J. Young led the Razorbacks with 15 points off the bench. Arkansas shot an even 50 percent. Michigan made eight of 28 threes, but got to the foul line just seven times, making six. Arkansas plays host to Auburn on Wednesday.
