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NCAA Tournament: Michigan State 69, Mississippi State 51

The Michigan State bench cheers a 69-51 win over Mississippi State during the second half of an NCAA Tournament first-round game on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C.
The Michigan State bench cheers a 69-51 win over Mississippi State during the second half of an NCAA Tournament first-round game on Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C.
Mike Stewart, Associated Press
Michigan State center Mady Sissoko (22) heads to the basket against Mississippi State guard Shawn Jones Jr. (5) during the second half.
Michigan State center Mady Sissoko (22) heads to the basket against Mississippi State guard Shawn Jones Jr. (5) during the second half.
Mike Stewart, Associated Press
Michigan State players celebrate a 3-pointer against Mississippi State during the second half.
Michigan State players celebrate a 3-pointer against Mississippi State during the second half.
Mike Stewart, Associated Press
Mississippi State guard Shakeel Moore dunks against Michigan State during the second half.
Mississippi State guard Shakeel Moore dunks against Michigan State during the second half.
Mike Stewart, Associated Press
Michigan State guard A.J. Hoggard celebrates during the second half.
Michigan State guard A.J. Hoggard celebrates during the second half.
Chris Carlson, Associated Press
Michigan State center Mady Sissoko (22) and Mississippi State guard Josh Hubbard (13) vie for a loose ball during the second half.
Michigan State center Mady Sissoko (22) and Mississippi State guard Josh Hubbard (13) vie for a loose ball during the second half.
Mike Stewart, Associated Press
Michigan State forward Xavier Booker (34) blocks a shot by Mississippi State forward Cameron Matthews (4) during the second half.
Michigan State forward Xavier Booker (34) blocks a shot by Mississippi State forward Cameron Matthews (4) during the second half.
Mike Stewart, Associated Press
Mississippi State guard Shawn Jones Jr. reacts after the loss to Michigan State.
Mississippi State guard Shawn Jones Jr. reacts after the loss to Michigan State.
Chris Carlson, Associated Press
Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler (0) shoots against Mississippi State forward Jimmy Bell Jr. (15) during the second half.
Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler (0) shoots against Mississippi State forward Jimmy Bell Jr. (15) during the second half.
Mike Stewart, Associated Press
Mississippi State guard Shakeel Moore (3) dunks the ball against Michigan State during the second half.
Mississippi State guard Shakeel Moore (3) dunks the ball against Michigan State during the second half.
Mike Stewart, Associated Press
Mississippi State forward Tolu Smith (1) and Michigan State guard Jaden Akins (3) chase a loose ball during the second half.
Mississippi State forward Tolu Smith (1) and Michigan State guard Jaden Akins (3) chase a loose ball during the second half.
Mike Stewart, Associated Press
Michigan State guard A.J. Hoggard celebrates with guard Jaden Akins (3) during the first half.
Michigan State guard A.J. Hoggard celebrates with guard Jaden Akins (3) during the first half.
Chris Carlson, Associated Press
Mississippi State forward Tolu Smith (1) loses the ball against Michigan State during the first half.
Mississippi State forward Tolu Smith (1) loses the ball against Michigan State during the first half.
Mike Stewart, Associated Press
Michigan State forward Malik Hall (25) loses the ball against Mississippi State forward Cameron Matthews (4) during the first half.
Michigan State forward Malik Hall (25) loses the ball against Mississippi State forward Cameron Matthews (4) during the first half.
Mike Stewart, Associated Press
Michigan State forward Malik Hall (25) heads to the hoop against Mississippi State forward Jimmy Bell Jr. (15) during the first half.
Michigan State forward Malik Hall (25) heads to the hoop against Mississippi State forward Jimmy Bell Jr. (15) during the first half.
Mike Stewart, Associated Press
Mississippi State forward KeShawn Murphy (12) and Michigan State center Mady Sissoko (22) vie for a rebound during the first half.
Mississippi State forward KeShawn Murphy (12) and Michigan State center Mady Sissoko (22) vie for a rebound during the first half.
Mike Stewart, Associated Press
Mississippi State forward Jimmy Bell Jr. vies for the ball with Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler during the second half.
Mississippi State forward Jimmy Bell Jr. vies for the ball with Michigan State forward Jaxon Kohler during the second half.
Chris Carlson, Associated Press
Mississippi State forward Cameron Matthews pulls a rebound away from Michigan State guard A.J. Hoggard during the second half.
Mississippi State forward Cameron Matthews pulls a rebound away from Michigan State guard A.J. Hoggard during the second half.
Chris Carlson, Associated Press
Michigan State guard A.J. Hoggard, right, drives to the basket past Mississippi State guard Dashawn Davis during the first half.
Michigan State guard A.J. Hoggard, right, drives to the basket past Mississippi State guard Dashawn Davis during the first half.
Chris Carlson, Associated Press
Michigan State center Mady Sissoko scores over Mississippi State forward Tolu Smith during the first half.
Michigan State center Mady Sissoko scores over Mississippi State forward Tolu Smith during the first half.
Chris Carlson, Associated Press
Mississippi State forward D.J. Jeffries (0) vies for the ball with Michigan State guard A.J. Hoggard (11) during the first half.
Mississippi State forward D.J. Jeffries (0) vies for the ball with Michigan State guard A.J. Hoggard (11) during the first half.
Chris Carlson, Associated Press
Michigan State guard Tyson Walker drives to the basket past Mississippi State forward D.J. Jeffries during the first half.
Michigan State guard Tyson Walker drives to the basket past Mississippi State forward D.J. Jeffries during the first half.
Chris Carlson, Associated Press
Michigan State forward Coen Carr reaches for the ball over Mississippi State forward Cameron Matthews during the first half.
Michigan State forward Coen Carr reaches for the ball over Mississippi State forward Cameron Matthews during the first half.
Chris Carlson, Associated Press
Mississippi State guard Shakeel Moore (3) vies for the ball with Michigan State guard Tyson Walker (2) during the first half.
Mississippi State guard Shakeel Moore (3) vies for the ball with Michigan State guard Tyson Walker (2) during the first half.
Chris Carlson, Associated Press
Michigan State guard A.J. Hoggard drives to the basket past Mississippi State guard Josh Hubbard during the first half.
Michigan State guard A.J. Hoggard drives to the basket past Mississippi State guard Josh Hubbard during the first half.
Chris Carlson, Associated Press
Mississippi State's Tolu Smith (1) looks to pass against Michigan State's Carson Cooper (15) during the first half.
Mississippi State's Tolu Smith (1) looks to pass against Michigan State's Carson Cooper (15) during the first half.
Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images
Mississippi State's Dashawn Davis (10) drives to the basket during the first half.
Mississippi State's Dashawn Davis (10) drives to the basket during the first half.
Jacob Kupferman, Getty Images
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo reacts during the first half.
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo reacts during the first half.
Jacob Kupferman, Getty Images
Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans reacts during the first half.
Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans reacts during the first half.
Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images
Michigan State's Tyson Walker reacts during the first half.
Michigan State's Tyson Walker reacts during the first half.
Jared C. Tilton, Getty Images
Michigan State's A.J. Hoggard (11) reacts to a basket against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half.
Michigan State's A.J. Hoggard (11) reacts to a basket against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half.
Jacob Kupferman, Getty Images