http://www.bulldogs.com/msu/index en lindsey@822media.net Copyright 2008 2008-12-02T16:03:01-06:00 http://www.bulldogs.com/msbulldogs/lady_bulldogs_look_to_stay_perfect_host_louisiana_tech_wednesday/ http://www.bulldogs.com/msbulldogs/lady_bulldogs_look_to_stay_perfect_host_louisiana_tech_wednesday/#When:15:03:01Z 12/02/08 - STARKVILLE, Miss. - The Mississippi State women's basketball team will open its second three-game homestand of the season Wednesday, as they face Louisiana Tech at 7 p.m. at the Humphrey Coliseum. Courtesy of Mississippi State University December 2, 2008 STARKVILLE, Miss. - The Mississippi State women’s basketball team will open its second three-game homestand of the season Wednesday, as they face Louisiana Tech at 7 p.m. at the Humphrey Coliseum. The Lady Bulldogs (4-0) will be looking to go 5-0 for the first time since the 1999-2000 campaign. State has won its first four games by an average margin of 30.5 points a game which is the best among all Southeastern Conference teams and ranks third nationally. MSU currently leads the nation in blocked shots, averaging 10.0 a game and also ranks best in the NCAA in field goal percentage defense, allowing opponents to shoot just 28.9 percent from the field. The Lady Bulldogs also lead the SEC in scoring offense averaging 83.2 points a game, free throw percentage (.793), assists (19.25 apg), assist/turnover ratio (1.38) and defensive rebounds, averaging 32 a game. Among NCAA rankings, MSU is sixth in scoring offense, eighth in free throw percentage, fifth in assists and third in the assist/turnover ratio category. Individually, the Lady Bulldogs are paced by junior Armelie Lumanu who is averaging 16.5 points and 6.5 rebounds a contest. Chanel Mokango is averaging 12 points and six rebounds a game and is currently third nationally in blocked shots, averaging 3.5 an outing. Senior Robin Porter narrowly missed her second consecutive double-double in the last outing against Louisiana-Lafayette, scoring nine points and grabbing nine rebounds. Louisiana Tech enters Wednesday’s game with a 2-3 record and is coming off a heartbreaking 60-59 last-second loss to Western Kentucky. The Lady Techsters are coached by Chis Long who is 61-36 in his fourth year with LTU.  Tech is led in scoring and rebounding by junior Shanavia Dowdell who is averaging 16.8 points and 11.4 rebounds a contest. Sophomore Whitney Jones is scoring 14.6 points a contest while sophomore Adrienne Johnson is averaging 11.8 points a game. Wednesday’s meeting will be the ninth between MSU and Louisiana Tech. LTU holds a slight 5-3 advantage in the series dating back to 1979. Last season in Ruston, La., the Lady Bulldogs downed LTU 63-50 behind a 14-point performance from Tysheka Grimes and 11 points from Alexis Rack. Following Wednesday’s game, State will return home Sunday, Dec. 7 to face Nicholls State. That game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. tip at the Humphrey Coliseum. Women's Basketball, News 2008-12-02T15:03:01-06:00 http://www.bulldogs.com/msbulldogs/byrne_addresses_media_regarding_football_programs_future/ http://www.bulldogs.com/msbulldogs/byrne_addresses_media_regarding_football_programs_future/#When:02:57:00Z 11/29/08 - Mississippi State Director of Athletics Greg Byrne addressed the media Saturday afternoon following Sylvester Croom's announcement that he was resigning as MSU's head football coach. Courtesy of Mississippi State University November 29, 2008 • Watch video comments from Director of Athletics Greg Byrne • Listen to audio comments from Director of Athletics Greg Byrne STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State Director of Athletics Greg Byrne addressed the media Saturday afternoon following Sylvester Croom’s announcement that he was resigning as MSU’s head football coach. Byrne discussed the future of the program, including the start of the search for the Bulldogs’ next head coach. Click the links above to watch or listen to comments from Saturday’s media gathering. Football, News 2008-11-30T02:57:00-06:00 http://www.bulldogs.com/msbulldogs/croom_resigns_as_msu_head_football_coach/ http://www.bulldogs.com/msbulldogs/croom_resigns_as_msu_head_football_coach/#When:15:56:00Z 11/29/08 - STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State University’s Sylvester Croom announced Saturday his immediate resignation as the school’s head football coach.Courtesy of Mississippi State University November 29, 2008 STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State University’s Sylvester Croom announced Saturday his immediate resignation as the school’s head football coach. “Five years ago, Mississippi State gave me the unprecedented opportunity to be a head football coach in the Southeastern Conference and to build a program based upon a strong foundation,” Croom said.  “I want to thank (then-president) Dr. Charles Lee and (then-athletic director) Larry Templeton for that opportunity.  I also want to thank the assistant coaches and all the players who had faith and trust in me.  We have tried to build a program the right way that can compete for conference championships.  I believe the foundation has been set for those goals to be reached under the leadership of someone else, and it was my decision to resign.” Croom concluded his fifth season as Mississippi State’s head coach in 2008 with a 21-38 overall record.  He inherited a program coming off three straight losing seasons, one that was on probation for NCAA recruiting violations. Following losing seasons in his first three years as head coach at State, Croom guided the Bulldogs to eight wins in ’07, including a victory over Central Florida in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.  This past season, however, the Bulldogs finished the year 4-8, the school’s fourth losing season under Croom. “As we have said was our intention throughout this year, Coach Croom and I met following yesterday’s season-ending game with Ole Miss to discuss the football program,” Director of Athletics Greg Byrne said.  “We discussed the football program and many topics were addressed, including resignation.  I want to thank Coach Croom for the leadership he has provided our football program over the last five years.” Mississippi State will begin its search for a new head football coach immediately.  All current assistant football coaches remain under contract and will continue performing their duties until the new head coach is hired. “I have great respect for Coach Croom and his decision,” incoming MSU President Mark Keenum said.  “He took over our football program during a difficult time and accepted the challenge head-on.  From that first day until today, he performed his duties with great class and the highest integrity that is reflective of the character of this fine man.  I join the entire Mississippi State family in thanking Coach Croom for his service to our university and wishing him the best in his future endeavors.  “Looking forward,” Keenum continued, “I plan to work closely with Athletic Director Greg Byrne to move quickly, but with due deliberation, to find a new head football coach with high energy and a commitment to compete for championships and bowl opportunities in the best conference in America.” “Coach Croom instilled in our football program a level of academic commitment, good sportsmanship, and good citizenship that represents our institution well,” Interim President Dr. Roy H. Ruby said.  “The Mississippi State family wishes only the best for Coach Croom and his family.” Football, News 2008-11-29T15:56:00-06:00 http://www.bulldogs.com/msbulldogs/bulldogs_edged_by_red_raiders_in_legends_classic_closer/ http://www.bulldogs.com/msbulldogs/bulldogs_edged_by_red_raiders_in_legends_classic_closer/#When:15:39:00Z 11/29/08 - NEWARK, N.J. - Mississippi State’s men’s basketball team could not match a hot-shooting Texas Tech ball club, falling to the Red Raiders 77-73 in the third place game of the Legends Classic Saturday evening.Courtesy of Mississippi State University November 29, 2008 • Official Statistics • Official Statistics (PDF) NEWARK, N.J. - Mississippi State’s men’s basketball team could not match a hot-shooting Texas Tech ball club, falling to the Red Raiders 77-73 in the third place game of the Legends Classic Saturday evening in the Prudential Center. The Red Raiders improved to 6-1 with the victory, while the Bulldogs lost for the second time in as many nights, falling to 5-2. MSU finishes Legends Classic play with a 2-2 ledger, winning twice at home before falling twice in New Jersey. Known for a always-shooting offensive attack, the Red Raiders rammed home 10 3-point baskets to lead to the victory. MSU, which has started the season strong from the foul line, could not convert Saturday, as the Bulldogs only hit 17 of 31 free throws in the contest. “We left too many plays on the floor,” MSU coach Rick Stansbury said. “We played a very good basketball team tonight. You can’t make the little mistakes on the road and beat a really good team. I am really proud of several things that we did well tonight. “We out-rebound them offensively and defensively. We held them to 33 percent shooting in the second half. If you defend and rebound, you have a chance to win.” Trailing 9-5, Texas Tech used a 14-1 run to take the lead for good in the basketball game. The Red Raiders led by as many as 11 in the opening half. Texas Tech led 42-34 at the intermission. The Bulldogs used a strong offensive half from Kodi Augustus and strong inside play from Jarvis Varnado to crawl back into the game. Still the Bulldogs never could get over the hump. Dee Bost rammed home a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 49-47 with 14:00 remaning, MSU trailed by no more than seven points but also could get no closer than that two-point spread the rest of the way. For the Bulldogs, Augustus and Bost each had 16 points for game-high honors. Bost hit three 3-point baskets. Varnado added 11 points, while Ravern Johnson scored nine points. Varnado also had a team-high 10 rebounds and four blocked shots. Romero Osby had seven points and six rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench for the Bulldogs. For the Red Raiders, five players were in double figures. John Roberson led Texas Tech with 13 points. Nick Okorie and Tyree Graham each added 11 points, while Trevor Cook and Alan Voskull each added 10 points. “There were a lot of areas where we were better tonight,” Stansbury said. “It was a lot better from last night to tonight. However, you miss 14 free throws. You can’t do that and beat a really good team. I am proud of the effort. What we didn’t do, we just have to get better at.” For the contest, MSU hit on 26 of 65 field goal attempts (40.0 percent), 4 of 20 from 3-point range (20.0 percent) and 17 of 31 at the foul line (54.8 percent). Texas Tech was 26 of 64 from the field (40.6 percent), 10 of 22 from 3-point range (45.5 percent) and 15 of 20 from the foul line (75.0 percent). The Bulldogs held a 47-34 rebounding advantage. MSU had seven assists and a season-low 11 turnovers. The Bulldogs return home for a three-game homestand. That homestand opens with Alabama State in a noon start Saturday in the Humphrey Coliseum. The Bulldogs then close out the homestand with Charlotte (December 10) and South Alabama (December 13). Basketball, News 2008-11-29T15:39:00-06:00 http://www.bulldogs.com/msbulldogs/tickets_now_on_sale_for_dec_22_hoops_game_in_jackson/ http://www.bulldogs.com/msbulldogs/tickets_now_on_sale_for_dec_22_hoops_game_in_jackson/#When:15:37:00Z 11/29/08 - STARKVILLE, Miss. ­– Mississippi State has announced tickets for the men’s basketball game against Nicholls State in Jackson are now on sale.Courtesy of Mississippi State University November 29, 2008 STARKVILLE, Miss. ­– Mississippi State has announced tickets for the men’s basketball game against Nicholls State in Jackson are now on sale. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at ticketmaster.com or by stopping at the Mississippi Coliseum box office Monday thru Friday between 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. or by calling 601-353-0603. The Dec. 22 showdown tips at 7 p.m., marking the seventh time during the Rick Stansbury era the Bulldogs have played at Mississippi Coliseum. During that span, MSU is 6-0, including last year’s 77-53 win against Lafayette. Stansbury’s first game as MSU’s head coach also took place in the historic arena, with the Bulldogs claiming a 105-53 win against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Basketball, News 2008-11-29T15:37:00-06:00 http://www.bulldogs.com/msbulldogs/mississippi_state_texas_tech_meet_in_consolation_game_of_legends_classic/ http://www.bulldogs.com/msbulldogs/mississippi_state_texas_tech_meet_in_consolation_game_of_legends_classic/#When:15:35:00Z 11/29/08 - NEWARK, N.J. - After suffering its first loss of the season Friday night against Washington State, Mississippi State (5-1) looks to start another winning streak when it faces Texas Tech (5-1).Courtesy of Mississippi State University November 29, 2008 NEWARK, N.J. - After suffering its first loss of the season Friday night against Washington State, Mississippi State (5-1) looks to start another winning streak at 4:30 p.m. today when it faces Texas Tech (5-1) in the consolation game of the Legends Classic at the Prudential Center. The two teams have never met, and the game will be televised nationally by HDNet. Against the Cougars, MSU shot just 32.6 percent (15 of 46) from the floor and were out-rebounded (35-31) for only the second time this season. Kodi Augustus, Barry Stewart and Romero Osby paced the Bulldogs with 10 points each, while freshman point guard Dee Bost hauled in a team-high seven rebounds to go along with his three assists and one steal. The contest featured three ties and six lead changes. The Red Raiders, under the direction of head coach Pat Knight, enter the game coming of an 80-67 setback to No. 4 Pittsburgh. After today, the Bulldogs don’t play again until Alabama State visits Humphrey Coliseum at noon on Dec. 6. Basketball, News 2008-11-29T15:35:00-06:00 http://www.bulldogs.com/msbulldogs/sylvester-croom-resigns-at-mississippi-state/ http://www.bulldogs.com/msbulldogs/sylvester-croom-resigns-at-mississippi-state/#When:12:35:01Z 11/29/2008 --- JACKSON, Miss.(AP) Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom has resigned after five years at the school. JACKSON, Miss.(AP) Mississippi State coach Sylvester Croom has resigned after five years at the school. He was the first black head football coach in the Southeastern Conference.Croom resigned Saturday, a day after an embarrassing 45-0 loss to No. 25 Mississippi in the rivalry game.Croom led the Bulldogs to an 8-5 finish and the Liberty Bowl in 2007. But the team struggled a year later, finishing 4-8.Croom went 21-38 overall. Football, News 2008-11-29T12:35:01-06:00 http://www.bulldogs.com/msbulldogs/rebels_regain_golden_egg_with_convincing_win_over_bulldogs/ http://www.bulldogs.com/msbulldogs/rebels_regain_golden_egg_with_convincing_win_over_bulldogs/#When:15:54:00Z 11/28/08 - OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss posted a 24-0 lead through one quarter of play and never looked back in a convincing 45-0 victory over visiting Mississippi State Friday.Courtesy of Mississippi State University November 28, 2008 • Official Statistics • Official Statistics (PDF) • Postgame Notes (PDF) OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss posted a 24-0 lead through one quarter of play and never looked back in a convincing 45-0 victory over visiting Mississippi State Friday in the annual Battle for the Golden Egg rivalry between the schools. With the loss, MSU fell to 4-8 overall, 2-6 in Southeastern Conference play. The Rebels, which regained possession of the Golden Egg trophy, ended the regular season at 8-4, 5-3 in the league. As the score would indicate, Ole Miss dominated the game on both sides of the ball. The Rebels amassed 461 yards of total offense while limiting State to just 37 yards from scrimmage. UM’s defensive unit tallied a school-record 11 sacks on the afternoon, consistently applying pressure to Bulldog quarterbacks to keep State in check offensively. The Rebels took little time in breaking scoring ice, taking the opening kickoff and marching 76 yards on just five plays to take a 7-0 lead. The big play came on a touchdown run, a 36-yard sprint by Dexter McCluster down the right sideline. UM would tack on three more points on its next possession. After returning a State punt to its own 48, the Rebels moved the ball to the State 25 to set up a 42-yard field goal from Joshua Shene. UM led 10-0 with 8:08 to go in the first period. State miscues led to Ole Miss’ next two scores. After Bulldog Tyson Lee was intercepted by Ashlee Palmer at the UM 46, the Rebels drove 54 yards to score on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Jevan Snead to Shay Hodge. On the ensuing drive, MSU backup signal caller Wesley Carroll was picked off by Jerrell Powe after the ball popped up as Carroll was being hit while throwing. Ole Miss took over at the Bulldog 35 and would capitilize in just four plays, this time with Snead finding Mike Wallace open in the back left corner of the end zone on a 17-yard strike. Shene’s extra point gave the Rebels a 24-0, a score that would stand until just before halftime. The second quarter went scoreless until the last minute of the first half. The Rebels struck on a big pass play with 42 seconds to go before the intermission, Snead hitting a streaking Wallace for a 72-yard score. State suffered three big losses to injury in the first half, the latest and biggest of which was starting wide receiver Brandon McRae who suffered a compound fracture of the tibia in his right leg. That setback, which halted play for five minutes, came on the heels of the Bulldogs losing starting quarterback Lee to a shoulder injury and star defensive back Derek Pegues to a bruised knee. In the second half, the Rebels would, tack on two more scores. The first came midway through the third quarter, when Snead hit Bradley Sowell on a 1-yard pass that converted a fourth down near the goal line. UM led 38-0 with 7:09 to go in the third. Snead, who was pulled early in the fourth quarter, was UM’s offensive leader, completing 14-of-19 passes for 213 yards and four touchdowns. He was complemented by big receiving days from Wallace (4-105, 2 TD) and Hodge (7-89, 1 TD). Ole Miss found paydirt for the final time just under three minutes into the final period when running back Brandon Bolden broke through the left side for a 24-yard run. Football, News 2008-11-28T15:54:00-06:00 http://www.bulldogs.com/msbulldogs/lady_bulldogs_secure_victory_in_first_road_test_of_season/ http://www.bulldogs.com/msbulldogs/lady_bulldogs_secure_victory_in_first_road_test_of_season/#When:15:45:00Z 11/28/08 - LAFAYETTE, La. - Two different 16-2 runs highlighted a high-octane first half of basketball as Mississippi State cruised past Louisiana-Lafayette 71-38 in women’s basketball action Friday afternoon.Courtesy of Mississippi State University November 28, 2008 • Official Statistics • Official Statistics (PDF) LAFAYETTE, La. - Two different 16-2 runs highlighted a high-octane first half of basketball as Mississippi State cruised past Louisiana-Lafayette 71-38 in women’s basketball action Friday afternoon at Earl K. Long Memorial Gym. MSU improved to 4-0 by winning its first game away from home for the 2007-08 season. Led by former MSU assistant Errol Rogers, the Cajuns fell to 0-6 on the season. MSU plays six of its first seven games at home this season. After celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday on the road yesterday, MSU can now focus on fall exams, sandwiched around a second three-game homestand. In the early stages Friday, MSU actually trailed 7-3. The Lady Bulldogs then used the next five minutes to piece together their first 16-2 run. MSU used defensive pressure to force four turnovers during that run. Donnisha Tate had three defensive rebounds during this run, which was capped by back-to-back baskets by Chanel Mokango. After a basket by ULL’s Alexis Green, the guests then rolled off another 16-2 run. Tysheka Grimes and Mary Kathryn Govero provided the offensive spark for this run. MSU also received solid contributions from its bench, helping to maintain the early advantage. Thanks in part to the two runs, the Lady Bulldogs held a comfortable 40-21 advantage at the break. In the final half, a 16-4 run by MSU allowed the guests to open up a 63-34 advantage with 3:40 remaining. That run was again fueled by great defensive pressure and capped by a 3-point basket from Armelie Lumanu. Bethany Washington also had five quick points during the run, including a 3-point basket of her own. After a pair of quick baskets by ULL, MSU scored the game’s final eight points, including back-to-back 3-pointers from Lauren Roberts and Channa Campbell. For the contest, the Lady Bulldogs were 30 of 67 from the field (44.4 percent). MSU was 7 of 22 from 3-point range (31.7 percent) and 4 of 6 at the foul line (66.7 percent). ULL could not overcome a horrible shooting start. The Cajuns were 14 of 61 from the field (22.6 percent), 2 of 10 from 3-point range (20.0 percent) and 8 of 11 at the foul line (72.3 percent). MSU held a commanding 50-34 advantage in the rebounding department. The Lady Bulldogs pulled down 17 offensive boards. MSU had 15 assists but made 15 turnovers. The Cajuns had seven assists and 15 turnovers, as well. The Lady Bulldogs were credited with five blocked shots. Govero led a balance offensive attack, collecting 11 points on 5 of 8 shooting in 20 minutes of work. Govero also had four steals on the defensive end. Robin Porter added nine points, while Mokango scored eight points. Porter also had a team-high nine rebounds. For MSU, 12 players played with 11 of them scoring. ULL received a game-high 11 points from Mercedes Johnson. D’Mya Clay had a team-high nine rebounds for the Cajuns. The Lady Bulldogs return home for a midweek tilt with Louisiana Tech. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. Wednes Women's Basketball, News 2008-11-28T15:45:00-06:00 http://www.bulldogs.com/msbulldogs/state_drops_63_52_decision_to_cougars_in_legends_classic_falls_for_first_ti/ http://www.bulldogs.com/msbulldogs/state_drops_63_52_decision_to_cougars_in_legends_classic_falls_for_first_ti/#When:15:32:00Z 11/28/08 - NEWARK, N.J. - A spirited second-half rally fell short, as Mississippi State dropped a 63-52 decision to Washington State in a semifinal round matchup of the Legends Classic.Courtesy of Mississippi State University November 28, 2008 • Official Statistics • Official Statistics (PDF) NEWARK, N.J. - A spirited second-half rally fell short, as Mississippi State dropped a 63-52 decision to Washington State in a semifinal round matchup of the Legends Classic Friday night in the Prudential Center. The Bulldogs trailed by as many as 17 midway through the second half. A 9-0 run helped MSU cut the deficit to six before a more-experienced Cougars squad pulled away for the final margin. MSU lost for the first time on the young season, falling to 5-1. Washington State, a member of the Pac 10 Conference, improved to 5-0. The Bulldogs will play Texas Tech in a consolation game at the Legends Classic Saturday. That game is slated for a 4:30 p.m. CT tip-off. “Our lack of toughness got exposed tonight,” MSU coach Rick Stansbury said. “We knew they were a veteran team. They were more physical than we were. We had too many possessions, where we made mistakes. They are good in the half court. You can’t afford to give them extra possessions.” The Cougars entered the contest, allowing only 38 points per game in the contest. Picked to finish in the upper division of the Pac 10, the Cougars are trying for a third straight season of 26 or more wins. “We had too many bad turnovers,” Stansbury said. “(Washington State) won this game with patience and discipline.” The lead changed hands on a couple of occasions in the opening half. A Barry Stewart 3-point basket gave MSU its largest lead of the afternoon, at 18-15. WSU ended the half on a 20-8 run. That run including a pair of baskets from Aron Baynes, who was 6 of 6 for the victors in the opening half. In the second half, WSU’s physical defense in the opening stages allowed the Cougars to stretch the advantage to 52-35 with less than 10 minutes remaining. Another 3-point basket by Stewart sparked a 9-0 run as the Bulldogs closed the deficit to 52-44. MSU would then cut the lead to six points, before making turnovers on three of the game’s next four possessions. Kodi Augustus, Stewart and Romero Osby each had 10 points to pace the Bulldogs. Ravern Johnson added seven. Klay Thompson paced the Cougars with 19 points on 7 of 14 shooting and also had 10 boards. Baynes added 17 points on 8 of 10 shooting for Washington State. The Bulldogs had their worst shooting night of the young season. MSU was 15 of 46 from the field (32.6 percent), 6 of 14 from 3-point range (42.9 percent) and 16 of 23 at the foul line (69.6 percent). On the other hand, WSU was 25 of 58 from the field (43.9 percent), 2 of 13 from 3-point range (15.4 percent) and 11 of 15 from the foul line (73.3 percent). Washington State held a 35-31 rebounding advantage. The Bulldogs were credited with seven assists but turned the ball over 21 times. MSU was credited with eight blocked shots, including four by Jarvis Varnado. After completing Legends Classic action Saturday, the Bulldogs return home to prepare for final exams. MSU and Alabama State are scheduled for a Noon start next Saturday (Dec. 6) in the Humphrey Coliseum. Basketball, News 2008-11-28T15:32:00-06:00