MOBILE, ALABAMA - Demetric Bennett scored a career-high 39 points and hit two free throws with 9 seconds left, lifting South Alabama to a 71-67 win over Mississippi State Saturday night in the Coors Classic.<br />
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The Jaguars (7-3), who trailed by 13 points midway through the second half, were leading by two when Mississippi State's Jamont Gordon missed a shot with 15 seconds left.<br />
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Charles Rhodes grabbed the rebound and drew a foul but missed both free throw attempts. That forced the Bulldogs (5-5) to quickly foul Bennett, who made just about everything including the decisive free throws.<br />
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He hit 14 of 17 shots and all six 3-point attempts while scoring South Alabama's first 20 points. Bennett's previous high was 29 points against North Texas last season.<br />
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The Jaguars were 10-of-17 from 3-point range while holding the Bulldogs to 38 percent shooting.<br />
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Mississippi State had won the first 10 meetings in the series.<br />
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The Bulldogs pushed their lead to 57-44 midway through the second half, but Daon Merritt started an 18-1 run with two straight baskets. Merritt's 3-pointer and a basket by Domonic Tilford gave the Jaguars a 62-58 lead with 3:59 left.<br />
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Merritt had 14 points and hit four 3s for the Jaguars.<br />
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Phil Turner led Mississippi State with 17 points while Ben Hansbrough had 16 and Charles Rhodes 10.
