Bulldogs chew up Hogs

STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI - It&#39;s been more than 50 years since Mississippi State handed Arkansas this kind of beating. <br> <br> Mario Austin had 19 points and 12 rebounds as the 23rd-ranked Bulldogs won 84-54 Saturday for their most lopsided victory over Arkansas since 1952 - a 79-39 victory in the first game of the series. <br> <br> ``We knew Arkansas was capable of coming in here and getting a win,&#39;&#39; Austin said. ``We wanted to get off to a quick start and get into them defensively. Then our offense opened up because of our defensive play.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Mississippi State (15-5, 5-4 Southeastern Conference), which has won five of its last six games, led 52-18 at halftime after outshooting Arkansas 59 percent to 17 percent. <br> <br> Eric Ferguson had 13 points to lead the Razorbacks (7-12, 26), who shot 25 percent. Michael Jones added 11 points. <br> <br> Ontario Harper added 14 points and nine rebounds for Mississippi State. <br> <br> The Bulldogs took control early, opening an 11-2 lead in the first four minutes. After the Razorbacks got a 3-pointer from Michael Jones to pull within six, the Bulldogs went on a 24-6 run, sparked by 10 points from Winsome Frazier, who finished with 12. <br> <br> ``Well, there is not a whole lot to say,&#39;&#39; Arkansas coach Stan Heath said. ``They whipped us. They got to us early and jumped on us quick. We did not have an answer for their speed. They beat us in transition and also inside. They were impressive.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Arkansas didn&#39;t make a field-goal attempt over the last 5:50 of the first half. <br> <br> ``I thought our team played with tremendous energy and lots of confidence. We played together and shared the basketball,&#39;&#39; Mississippi State coach Rick Stansbury said. ``I thought our guards took their two guards and shut them down.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Derrick Zimmerman threw an alley-oop pass to Michael Ignerski for the layup to give Mississippi State a 47-17 lead with 2:14 remaining, and the Bulldogs led by 34 at halftime. <br> <br> ``This was a key win for this team. We came out tonight and really knuckled down on defense,&#39;&#39; Austin said. ``And I thought everybody played their type of game and gave a solid team effort.&#39;&#39;

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