Murphy has a double-double as No. 25 Mississippi State rolls to an 80-58 win over UNLV
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) KeShawn Murphy had 14 points and 13 rebounds, Josh Hubbard scored 11 and No. 25 Mississippi State overpowered UNLV 80-58 on Thursday night in the Arizona Tip-Off.
The Bulldogs (6-0) used a pair of runs to build a 13-point halftime lead and blew it wide open early in the second half to move into the championship game Friday night against Butler.
Mississippi State had a 46-29 rebounding advantage and scored 30 second-chance points off 19 offensive rebounds.
Jailen Bedford had 13 points and Jalen Hill added 11 to lead the Runnin’ Rebels (4-2).
The Bulldogs dominated after the opening six minutes, using runs of 7-0 and 12-2 to build a 39-21 lead. UNLV used a 6-0 spurt to cut it to 45-32 at halftime.
The Runnin' Rebels shot better overall in the first half at 14 of 25, but the Bulldogs went 7 for 14 from 3-point range and had 16 second-chance points off nine offensive rebounds.
Mississippi State went on an 11-0 run to go up 62-36 and didn't allow UNLV to trim the lead under 20 the rest of the way.
UNLV: The Runnin' Rebels were no match for Mississippi State inside and had a hard time getting big man Jeremiah Cherry going. The 6-foot-11, 280-pound forward finished with eight points on 4-of-5 shooting and had two rebounds against constant double-teams.
Mississippi State: The Bulldogs were relentless on the offensive glass and it paid off, particularly in the first half. Murphy led the way with four offensive rebounds.
Mississippi State hit five straight shots while building its big early lead, but the defense keyed it, holding UNLV scoreless for a stretch of 3:18.
Mississippi State showed off its depth, outscoring UNLV 48-13 off the bench.
Mississippi State will face Butler in the championship game Friday night. UNLV plays Northwestern.
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| Time | Team | Play | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20:00 |  | Â | Jeremiah Cherry vs. Michael Nwoko (Jalen Hill gains possession) | Â |
| 19:33 |  | +2 | Jeremiah Cherry makes two point layup | 2-0 |
| 19:05 | | Â | RJ Melendez turnover (out of bounds) | Â |
| 18:40 | | +3 | Jailen Bedford makes three point jump shot (Julian Rishwain assists) | 5-0 |
| 18:12 | | Â | Claudell Harris Jr. misses three point jump shot | Â |
| 18:10 | | Â | Michael Nwoko offensive rebound | Â |
| 18:06 | | Â | Michael Nwoko misses two point layup | Â |
| 18:04 | | Â | RJ Melendez offensive rebound | Â |
| 17:59 | | +2 | RJ Melendez makes two point tip layup | 5-2 |
| 17:51 | | +3 | Jalen Hill makes three point jump shot (Jailen Bedford assists) | 8-2 |
| 17:38 | | +3 | Claudell Harris Jr. makes three point jump shot (Josh Hubbard assists) | 8-5 |
| 17:17 | | Â | Jeremiah Cherry turnover (bad pass) (Cameron Matthews steals) | Â |
| 17:11 | | Â | Jeremiah Cherry blocks Michael Nwoko's two point layup | Â |
| 17:09 | | Â | Jailen Bedford defensive rebound | Â |
| 17:05 | | Â | Jailen Bedford turnover (lost ball) (Michael Nwoko steals) | Â |
| 17:01 | | Â | Jeremiah Cherry blocks Josh Hubbard's two point layup | Â |
| 17:01 | | Â | Bulldogs offensive rebound | Â |
| 16:51 | | Â | Michael Nwoko misses two point jump shot | Â |
| 16:49 | | Â | Cameron Matthews offensive rebound | Â |
| 16:45 | | +3 | Claudell Harris Jr. makes three point jump shot (Cameron Matthews assists) | 8-8 |
| 16:26 | | +2 | Dedan Thomas Jr. makes two point driving layup | 10-8 |
| 16:18 | | +3 | Josh Hubbard makes three point jump shot (Cameron Matthews assists) | 10-11 |
| 15:50 | | Â | Jailen Bedford misses two point jump shot | Â |
| 15:48 | | Â | Michael Nwoko defensive rebound | Â |
| 15:41 | | Â | Jailen Bedford personal foul (Josh Hubbard draws the foul) | Â |
| 15:41 | | Â | TV timeout | Â |
| 15:21 | | Â | KeShawn Murphy misses two point jump shot | Â |
| 15:19 | | Â | Julian Rishwain defensive rebound | Â |
| 15:07 | | Â | Jalen Hill misses two point layup | Â |
| 15:05 | | Â | Cameron Matthews defensive rebound | Â |
| 15:01 | | Â | Claudell Harris Jr. misses two point layup | Â |
| 14:59 | | Â | Riley Kugel offensive rebound | Â |
| 14:58 | | +2 | Riley Kugel makes two point putback layup | 10-13 |
| 14:48 | | Â | Official timeout | Â |
| 14:34 | | +2 | Dedan Thomas Jr. makes two point stepback jump shot | 12-13 |
| 14:13 | | Â | Claudell Harris Jr. misses two point jump shot | Â |
| 14:11 | | Â | KeShawn Murphy offensive rebound | Â |
| 14:11 | | Â | Julian Rishwain shooting foul (KeShawn Murphy draws the foul) | Â |
| 14:11 | | +1 | KeShawn Murphy makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 12-14 |
| 14:11 | | +1 | KeShawn Murphy makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 12-15 |
| 14:00 | | Â | Riley Kugel personal foul (Jalen Hill draws the foul) | Â |
| 13:59 | | Â | Dedan Thomas Jr. turnover (bad pass) (KeShawn Murphy steals) | Â |
| 13:44 | | Â | Kanye Clary turnover (bad pass) (Brooklyn Hicks steals) | Â |
| 13:40 | | +2 | Brooklyn Hicks makes two point driving dunk | 14-15 |
| 13:27 | | +3 | KeShawn Murphy makes three point jump shot (Kanye Clary assists) | 14-18 |
| 13:00 | | Â | Julian Rishwain misses three point jump shot | Â |
| 12:58 | | Â | Josh Hubbard defensive rebound | Â |
| 12:50 | | +2 | Riley Kugel makes two point cutting layup (Josh Hubbard assists) | 14-20 |
| 12:37 | | Â | Dedan Thomas Jr. misses two point jump shot | Â |
| 12:35 | | Â | Dedan Thomas Jr. offensive rebound | Â |
| 12:35 | | Â | Dedan Thomas Jr. misses two point layup | Â |
| 12:33 | | Â | Gai Chol defensive rebound | Â |
| 12:21 | | +2 | Gai Chol makes two point layup | 14-22 |
| 12:03 | | +2 | Jalen Hill makes two point driving layup | 16-22 |
| 12:03 | | Â | Gai Chol shooting foul (Jalen Hill draws the foul) | Â |
| 12:03 | | +1 | Jalen Hill makes regular free throw 1 of 1 | 17-22 |
| 11:48 | | Â | Jacob Bannarbie personal foul (KeShawn Murphy draws the foul) | Â |
| 11:48 | | Â | TV timeout | Â |
| 11:29 | | Â | Jacob Bannarbie shooting foul (Josh Hubbard draws the foul) | Â |
| 11:29 | | +1 | Josh Hubbard makes regular free throw 1 of 2 | 17-23 |
| 11:29 | | +1 | Josh Hubbard makes regular free throw 2 of 2 | 17-24 |
| 11:29 | | Â | Dellquan Warren personal foul (Dedan Thomas Jr. draws the foul) | Â |
| 11:14 | | Â | Dedan Thomas Jr. misses two point jump shot | Â |
| 11:12 | | Â | KeShawn Murphy defensive rebound | Â |
| 11:05 | | Â | Michael Nwoko offensive foul (Brooklyn Hicks draws the foul) | Â |
| 11:05 | | Â | Michael Nwoko turnover (offensive foul) | Â |
| 11:00 | | Â | Dellquan Warren personal foul (Jalen Hill draws the foul) | Â |
| 10:52 | | Â | Jailen Bedford misses three point jump shot | Â |
| 10:50 | | Â | Dellquan Warren defensive rebound | Â |
| 10:35 | | +2 | Michael Nwoko makes two point dunk (KeShawn Murphy assists) | 17-26 |
| 10:15 | | Â | Dedan Thomas Jr. turnover (out of bounds) | Â |
| 9:54 | | +3 | Shawn Jones Jr. makes three point jump shot (Dellquan Warren assists) | 17-29 |
| 9:33 | | Â | KeShawn Murphy personal foul (Jalen Hill draws the foul) | Â |
| 9:22 | | Â | Jailen Bedford misses two point jump shot | Â |
| 9:18 | | Â | Bulldogs defensive rebound | Â |
| 9:02 | | Â | KeShawn Murphy misses three point jump shot | Â |
| 9:00 | | Â | Brooklyn Hicks defensive rebound | Â |
| 8:45 | | Â | Shawn Jones Jr. personal foul (Dedan Thomas Jr. draws the foul) | Â |
| 8:45 | | Â | Dedan Thomas Jr. misses regular free throw 1 of 1 | Â |
| 8:45 | | Â | Michael Nwoko defensive rebound | Â |
| 8:45 | | Â | Jailen Bedford personal foul (Michael Nwoko draws the foul) | Â |
| 8:30 | | Â | Michael Nwoko turnover (lost ball) (Jeremiah Cherry steals) | Â |
| 8:20 | | +2 | Jalen Hill makes two point driving layup | 19-29 |
| 8:02 | | Â | Josh Hubbard misses two point jump shot | Â |
| 7:58 | | Â | Runnin' Rebels defensive rebound | Â |
| 7:58 | | Â | TV timeout | Â |
| 7:34 | | Â | Michael Nwoko personal foul (Jeremiah Cherry draws the foul) | Â |
| 7:34 | | Â | Jeremiah Cherry misses regular free throw 1 of 1 | Â |
| 7:34 | | Â | RJ Melendez defensive rebound | Â |
| 7:25 | | Â | Josh Hubbard misses three point jump shot | Â |
| 7:23 | | Â | RJ Melendez offensive rebound | Â |
| 7:05 | | +2 | KeShawn Murphy makes two point pullup jump shot | 19-31 |
| 6:42 | | Â | Julian Rishwain misses three point jump shot | Â |
| 6:40 | | Â | KeShawn Murphy defensive rebound | Â |
| 6:29 | | +3 | Josh Hubbard makes three point jump shot (KeShawn Murphy assists) | 19-34 |
| 6:09 | | +2 | Jailen Bedford makes two point pullup jump shot | 21-34 |
| 5:50 | | +2 | KeShawn Murphy makes two point tip layup (Josh Hubbard assists) | 21-36 |
| 5:40 | | Â | Julian Rishwain offensive foul (Josh Hubbard draws the foul) | Â |
| 5:40 | | Â | Julian Rishwain turnover (offensive foul) | Â |
| 5:26 | | Â | RJ Melendez misses three point jump shot | Â |
| 5:24 | | Â | Cameron Matthews offensive rebound | Â |
| 5:17 | | +3 | RJ Melendez makes three point jump shot (Cameron Matthews assists) | 21-39 |
| 5:17 | | Â | Runnin' Rebels 30 second timeout | Â |
| 4:56 | | +2 | Jeremiah Cherry makes two point driving layup | 23-39 |
| 4:31 | | Â | Josh Hubbard misses three point jump shot | Â |
| 4:29 | | Â | Julian Rishwain defensive rebound | Â |
| 4:19 | | Â | Brooklyn Hicks misses two point jump shot | Â |
| 4:17 | | Â | Josh Hubbard defensive rebound | Â |
| 4:04 | | Â | Josh Hubbard misses three point jump shot | Â |
| 4:02 | | Â | Jeremiah Cherry defensive rebound | Â |
| 3:53 | | Â | Kanye Clary shooting foul (Dedan Thomas Jr. draws the foul) | Â |
| 3:53 | | Â | TV timeout | Â |
| 3:53 | | Â | Dedan Thomas Jr. misses regular free throw 1 of 2 | Â |
| 3:53 | | Â | Dedan Thomas Jr. misses regular free throw 2 of 2 | Â |
| 3:53 | | Â | RJ Melendez defensive rebound | Â |
| 3:27 | | Â | KeShawn Murphy misses two point jump shot | Â |
| 3:25 | | Â | Jeremiah Cherry defensive rebound | Â |
| 3:08 | | Â | Jalen Hill turnover (bad pass) (RJ Melendez steals) | Â |
| 3:03 | | +2 | Kanye Clary makes two point driving layup | 23-41 |
| 3:03 | | Â | Jalen Hill shooting foul (Kanye Clary draws the foul) | Â |
| 3:03 | | Â | Kanye Clary misses regular free throw 1 of 1 | Â |
| 3:03 | | Â | Brooklyn Hicks defensive rebound | Â |
| 2:38 | | +3 | Dedan Thomas Jr. makes three point pullup jump shot | 26-41 |
| 2:09 | | +2 | KeShawn Murphy makes two point dunk (Riley Kugel assists) | 26-43 |
| 1:56 | | Â | Jeremiah Cherry misses two point layup | Â |
| 1:54 | | Â | KeShawn Murphy defensive rebound | Â |
| 1:35 | | +2 | Shawn Jones Jr. makes two point cutting layup (KeShawn Murphy assists) | 26-45 |
| 1:14 | | +2 | Jeremiah Cherry makes two point cutting layup (Dedan Thomas Jr. assists) | 28-45 |
| 0:51 | | Â | Riley Kugel misses three point jump shot | Â |
| 0:49 | | Â | Dedan Thomas Jr. defensive rebound | Â |
| 0:44 | | +2 | Brooklyn Hicks makes two point driving layup (Dedan Thomas Jr. assists) | 30-45 |
| 0:24 | | Â | Riley Kugel offensive foul (Dedan Thomas Jr. draws the foul) | Â |
| 0:24 | | Â | Riley Kugel turnover (offensive foul) | Â |
| 0:04 | | +2 | Jeremiah Cherry makes two point dunk (Dedan Thomas Jr. assists) | 32-45 |
| 0:00 | | Â | End of period | Â |