STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Garrison Brooks scored 18 points, Shakeel Moore made the go-ahead basket in the final minute and Mississippi State escaped with a 69-66 victory over Furman on Friday night.
Mississippi State blew an 11-point halftime lead, falling behind by six points with about 3 minutes left. The Bulldogs regrouped and regained the lead with 49 seconds remaining when Moore made a layup after a steal by Cameron Matthews.
Furman missed 3-pointers on its final three possessions after giving up the lead and the Bulldogs made 2 of 4 free throws for the final score. Furman did not score in the final 2:12.
Iverson Molinar and D.J. Jeffries scored 14 points apiece for the Bulldogs (8-3). Moore finished with 12 points, six rebounds and four assists.
Alex Hunter led Furman with a career-high 30 points, making 8 of 11 3-pointers. The eight makes were also a career high. He made three 3-pointers in an 18-3 run that erased the Paladins' halftime deficit and resulted in a 54-50 lead with about eight minutes left. Furman twice went ahead by six and Mississippi State did not regain the lead until the final minute.
Jalen Slawson had 13 points and eight rebounds for Furman (7-5). Conley Garrison added 10 points. The Paladins were 14 of 27 from 3-point distance and shot 54% overall. However, they attempted only five free throws, making two.
Mississippi State shot 51%, made 14 of 21 free throws and committed only 12 fouls.
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