November 23, 2009
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State closes out its four-game homestand to open the 2009-10 campaign at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Humphrey Coliseum against Texas-Pan American.
It's the second meeting between the two, with the Bulldogs taking the first encounter 90-60 on Nov. 18, 1997.
MSU enters the game sporting a 2-1 ledger following back-to-back wins against Southeastern Louisiana and Bethune-Cookman. In those two outings, the Dawgs limited their opponents to 37.3 percent shooting (52 of 118), while yielding just 59.0 points. The Wildcats managed only 51 points, marking the 97th time a Rick Stansbury coached squad limited the opponent to 59 points or less. In those outings, MSU is 92-5.
The Bulldogs, who open play at the South Padre Island Invitational on Friday against Richmond, are led in scoring (17.3) and rebounding (11.0) by senior All-SEC standout Jarvis Varnado. He's recorded two double-doubles this year and, against Bethune-Cookman, he registered four blocks to pass Shaquille O'Neal as the SEC's all-time shot blocker with 413.
The Broncs come to Starkville 0-4 following their 100-44 setback to Missouri on Sunday night. They are paced by Jared Maree and Luis Valera, who are averaging 8.4 points each. Valera is also grabbing a team-high 5.3 boards.
After Tuesday, Mississippi State doesn't return to Humphrey Coliseum until a Dec. 5 date against St. Bonaventure that is scheduled to tip at 1 p.m.
Courtesy: mstateathletics.com
