Bulldogs beat Vols in OT

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Posted 6:35AM on Thursday, January 17, 2002

STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI - When it comes to close games, Tennessee seems to always fall just short. Michal Ignerski made a 3-pointer with 50.7 seconds left in overtime and Timmy Bowers made the winning free throw in Mississippi State's 92-91 victory Wednesday night over the Volunteers. It was the sixth time Tennessee has loss a game by five points or less. The Volunteers have lost three straight by a combined eight points, including a 104-100 loss at home to No. 2 Florida on Jan. 9. ``Give Tennessee a lot of credit,'' Mississippi State coach Rick Stansberry said. ``They played a tough game tonight. We just found a way and the energy to win the game.'' Ignerski scored 16 points and tied the score at 91 with his 3-pointer after Vincent Yarbrough made one of two free throws with about two minutes remaining to give Tennessee (6-9, 1-3 Southeastern Conference) a 91-88 lead. The Volunteers led by as much as four points in overtime. Marcus Haislip, who scored a career-high 27, missed a shot inside after Ignerski's 3-pointer and Mississippi State (15-3, 2-2) got the ball down court quickly. Bowers missed an open shot, but was fouled and converted one of two free throws to give the Bulldogs the lead. Tennessee had one last shot and Jon Higgins, who had 16 points, missed it on a 3-pointer at the buzzer. ``After Haislip missed, they lost me in transition down the court,'' Bowers said. ``I was wide open and the baseline was open, so they had to foul me on the drive. I really don't think I played that well, but that free throw helped make up for it.'' Marckell Patterson scored 23 points, including two 3-pointers during a 11-2 run midway through the second half. Mario Austin had 22. ``This really hurts to keep losing like this,'' Haislip said. ``Same book, different chapter,'' Tennessee coach Buzz Peterson said. ``We have lost about every way you can lose one. I'll give our kids credit, though. We didn't quit and we gave ourselves a chance to win it.'' Tennessee trailed by as much as 10 points, 72-62, with about five minutes remaining in regulation. Ron Slay scored on a dunk and Haislip got a basket to start a 15-6 run that got the Volunteers back in it. Yarbrough, who finished with 17 points, hit a baseline jumper with 31 seconds left to tie it at 82 at the end of regulation. Tennessee jumped on top early in the game. The Volunteers went on an 10-0 run to take a 17-7 lead with 14:39 left in the first half. Mississippi State limited Tennessee to four field goals over the next 10 minutes to regain the lead, 28-26. Mississippi State led 38-37 at the half.