Bulldogs lose to Mississippi State by 32 points

Georgia head coach Tom Crean. File photo by HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Georgia head coach Tom Crean. File photo by HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Anthony Edwards scored 19 but was just 5-of-16 from the field as Georgia was routed by Mississippi State 91-59 Saturday night.

Since winning a big road game at Memphis on Jan. 4, the Bulldogs have dropped three of their last four games. Georgia is 1-3 in SEC play with two of its next three games on the road.

Toumani Camara and Rayshaun Hammonds each had 10 points for the Bulldogs (11-6 overall).

Georgia shot 39.3% for the game and 33.3% in the second half. The Bulldogs were just 3 of 18 on 3-point attempts and made 12 of 16 at the free-throw line, and finished with 10 turnovers.

“There were two big keys for us tonight," Georgia coach Tom Crean said. “One was rebounding and we didn't compete on the glass. The second thing was offensive shooting percentages. I told our guys there was going to be a collision tonight and we didn't compete.”

Reggie Perry and Tyson Carter combined for 40 points to lead Mississippi State.

Perry collected 22 points, 12 rebounds and six assists to pace the winning Bulldogs (11-6, 2-3 SEC). Perry was 9 of 13 from the field and has now scored 20 points or more in four of his last six games. He also has notched 10 double-doubles this season and 19 double-doubles for his career.

Carter added 18 points highlighted by a 4-of-7 shooting beyond the arc. Robert Woodard II added 17 points for Mississippi State while Nick Weatherspoon had 12 points and a career-high eight assists.

Mississippi State jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the opening minutes, forcing Georgia to call a timeout at the 17:05 mark of the first half. Georgia continued to chip away at the early deficit and eventually took a 15-14 lead following a Camara layup with 12:52 remaining in the opening half.

Carter drilled a long 3-pointer to cap a 9-2 run by Mississippi State at the 7:48 mark of the first half, giving the host Dogs a 28-21 lead. Mississippi State ended the half on a 10-3 run and held a 42-31 advantage at the break.

Mississippi State shot 56.3% in the opening half but made just 2 of 10 shots beyond the arc. Georgia shot 44.8% from the floor and made 2 of 8 from 3-point territory. Mississippi State held a decisive 20-11 rebounding advantage in the first half and both teams had five turnovers.

Georgia plays at Kentucky on Tuesday.