STARKVILLE, Miss. – The Hartford men's basketball team dropped a 77-59 decision at No. 18 Mississippi State on Sunday evening. Senior
Jason Dunne scored 17 points to pace the Hawks.
Quinndary Weatherspoon scored a game-high 22 points to pace the Bulldogs (2-0), who shot 46 percent, including 38 percent from behind the arc. Redshirt-senior
John Carroll contributed 16 points for Hartford (0-3) in the losing effort. The contest served as the second game of the MGM Resort Main Event Tournament's Regional Round.
#18 MISSISSIPPI STATE 77, HARTFORD 59
The Hawks jumped out to a quick lead behind five early points from Dunne, but Mississippi State scored 11-unanswered points to pull ahead, 13-5, with 12:31 to go in the first half. Despite falling behind by double figures, Hartford stayed in range and closed the gap to 11 (40-29) with an 8-3 spurt before Aric Holman knocked down a three to end the half with the Bulldogs on top, 43-29.
Senior
J.R. Lynch would open the second with a layup to cut the deficit to 12 in the opening minute of the second, but Mississippi State quickly extended its lead to 23 by scoring 13 of the game's next 15 points. The Bulldogs shot nearly 50 percent (48.4%) in the second half to maintain their lead and secure the win.
NEWS AND NOTES
- Nearly half of the Bulldogs' points came in the paint (34), including 16 off offensive rebounds.
- Hartford shot a season-best 44.9 percent (22-of-49), but went just 30.0 percent (6-of-20) from behind the arc.
- Carroll extended his double-figure scoring streak to 15 games, dating back to last season.
- Dunne, who registered a season-high, came one rebound short of a double-double
- Hartford assisted on 13 of 22 field goals, and went 82 percent from the free-throw line
NEXT ON TAP
The Hawks continue their five-game road swing with a matchup at local rival Quinnipiac on Thursday, Nov. 15. Tipoff from Hamden is set for 7 p.m.
