Mississippi State did most things right against Missouri, but a late scoring drought erased a strong first half and several standout individual efforts.

Together, Dowell and Slaughter combined for 39 points, repeatedly answering Bulldogs runs and keeping Missouri poised in a hostile environment. Their ability to score at all three levels allowed Missouri to maintain spacing and avoid prolonged scoring droughts that plagued earlier conference games.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Mark Mitchell scored 19 points and T.O. Barrett added 16 for Missouri in an 84-79 win over Mississippi State on Saturday night. The Tigers (15-7, 5-4 Southeastern Conference) jumped ahead early with a 12-2 run and went into halftime up 42-35.

Here’s what Missouri basketball coach Dennis Gates said after the Tigers beat Mississippi State on Saturday in Columbia.

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State dropped Sunday's contest to the Missouri Tigers, 88-80. The contest featured a high scoring affair which saw both sides explode on the offensive side of the ball. Both teams shot over 50 percent in the first half of the contest,

Mississippi State basketball and Josh Hubbard lost at Missouri. Turnovers and fast break points created the edge for the Tigers that was just enough.

After several games with slow starts offensively, Missouri started Saturday's game hot, jumping to a 21-11 lead. In the first eight minutes of play, forward Trent Pierce, guard T.O. Barrett, forward Mark Mitchell and forward Jacob Crews all made 3s.

Missouri nearly let a 16-point second-half lead out of its grasp in a crucial game against the Bulldogs.