When the halftime buzzer sounded, Mississippi State found themselves down two points to Alabama State, a team that had lost seven straight games and ranked 282 in the RPI rankings.

The Bulldogs composed themselves to outscore Alabama State by 23-points in the second half to secure a 67-46 victory on their fourth consecutive day of basketball.

"Tonight's game was one of those where you just find a way to survive," said MSU head coach Rick Stansbury. "That is what we were in, survival mode. I thought our guys did one thing in the second half that you have to do to win and that is they came out and showed a little grit."

MSU (7-2) played without the Southeastern Conference's leading scorer Ravern Johnson in the contest. Johnson served a one-game suspension for failing to abide by the university's class attendance policy.

In his absence, Elgin Bailey stepped up to score a career-high 13 points on 4-of-8 shooting.

"When I learned this morning (Johnson) would not be playing, I had to prepare myself mentally," Bailey said. "I knew I would have to play harder and give it everything I had."

Riley Benock and Brian Bryant added 11 points each as the Bulldogs shot 43.9-percent from the floor. MSU also outrebounded the Hornets 47-35 on the evening.



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