College Hoops

Runnin’ Utes Take Bulldogs Down to the Wire in Ft. Myers Tip-Off Title Game

St. Thomas

FT. MYERS, Fla. – The Utah men’s basketball team dropped a tight battle with Mississippi State Wednesday night in the championship game of the Ft. Myers Tip-Off, falling to the Bulldogs 52-49 inside Suncoast Credit Union Arena on the campus of Florida Southwestern State College.
 
As anticipated, the first half between the Utes and Bulldogs was a battle with Mississippi State leading most of the game. However, Utah (4-2) was able to weather its 11 turnovers to keep within 25-21 of MSU at the break thanks to a huge 3-pointer from Ben Carlson and pair of free throws from Gavin Baxter down the stretch.

 
After Mississippi State opened the second frame with a three, the Runnin’ Utes responded with an 11-0 run capped off by a pair of free throws from Marco Anthony out of the 15:35 media break. That lead was short-lived with the Bulldogs battling back to retake the 35-34 edge on a 3-pointer from Dashawn Davis. However, Lazar Stefanovic and Gabe Madsen teamed up to hit back-to-back shots from downtown to put the Runnin’ Utes back on top 40-35 – which forced an MSU (6-0) timeout with 11:13 left to go.

 
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