Archive - Jan 19, 2012

Brooks Signs with EMCC

January 19, 2012

Thursday morning Starkville High School senior, Nick Brooks, selected his athletic home for the next two seasons as he signed his letter of intent to play for the Lions of East Mississippi Community College.

“Man this is a dream come true for me,” said Brooks. “I’ve always wanted to play college baseball. It is just something that I want to pursue later in my life. I have an opportunity to go to a school like EMCC, baseball and academically it is just a good fit.”

Brooks is a do-it-all type player who will truly help the Lions at the plate, on the bases, in the outfield, and potentially on the mound.

Bulldogs don't overcome slow start in loss to Rebs

January 19, 2012

The Mississippi State Bulldogs traveled to the Tad Smith Coliseum on Wednesday night carrying a 15–3 record and a No. 18 ranking.

However, they left with a 75-68 loss at the hands of scrappy Ole Miss ballclub who received a career night from Reginald Buckner. 

The Rebels (12-6, 2-2) jumped out to an early lead in the contest leading by as many as nine in the first half. The Bulldogs (15-4, 2-2) simply couldn’t get over the hump at that point. 

“They started out well early in the game and we fought from behind all night long, never got over the hump,” said MSU head coach Rick Stansbury. 

State would battle back and take a one-point lead at 18-17. From that point, the two teams traded baskets over the next couple of possessions before the Rebels took the lead for good. 

“I thought (Buckner) was tremendous tonight,” said Ole Miss head coach Andy Kennedy. “(Holloway) got those two early fouls and Reggie was out there on his own tonight.  He really had to keep us a float early. This was by far Reggie’s best game of the season when we needed it the most.”

Buckner managed a career night with 19 points despite missing seven shots from the free-throw line. He also had a game-high 15 rebounds for the Rebels. 

“Buckner was probably the difference in the game,” said Stansbury. “Buckner, they got more from him than I’m sure they anticipated.”

SEC's road lets MSU down again with loss

January 19, 2012

Twice the Mississippi State Bulldogs have gone on the road in Southeastern Conference play and twice they’ve come away with disappointing losses.  

First it was the loss in the lidlifter at Arkansas 98-88 and Wednesday night, the Bulldogs fell to their rivals to the north 75–68. 

“It has come down to toughness,” said State’s freshman forward Rodney Hood, who scored 13 for the Bulldogs. “We haven’t been playing our type of basketball on the road.”

Down the stretch Mississippi State had opportunities but couldn’t get the stops it needed to close the game.