Video: MSU Women Dominate Auburn from Start to Finish

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI/AP) — Victoria Vivians scored 23 points and No. 7 Mississippi State used a stellar defensive performance to beat Auburn 60-45 on Thursday night.

The Bulldogs held the Tigers to 40 percent shooting from the field and only allowed five free throw attempts. A dominant size advantage worked in favor for Mississippi State, which never trailed in the final three quarters.

The Bulldogs won their 10th straight while playing with the program’s highest-ever national ranking.

Mississippi State (15-1, 2-0) won its SEC home opener for the second straight season by holding Auburn (11-4, 1-1) to 22.2 percent shooting from the field during a game-changing second quarter. The Bulldogs held Auburn without a field goal over the first 8:39 of the period and allowed only five points.

Vivians hit a 3-point basket as the first quarter expired to give the Bulldogs a 15-12 lead. From there, Mississippi State turned to defense to fuel a 16-1 run. Auburn made 2 of 9 shots from the field in the second quarter.

Mississippi State led 33-17 halftime.

In the second half, Auburn used a 16-5 run to close within 38-33 with 1:57 left in the third quarter. Vivians and Teaira McCowan scored on back-to-back possessions to push the lead back to double digits.

A 3-pointer by Vivians as the shot clock expired expanded the lead to 50-38 with 6:31 remaining and halted Auburn’s final comeback attempt.

Vivians posted her fifth career double-double by adding 10 rebounds. McCowan recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Tra’Cee Tanner scored 15 points for Auburn.

TIP-INS

Auburn: The Tigers committed 25 turnovers, including nine in the second quarter . Auburn was held to a season-low in total points and managed only 48 in last season’s 59-48 loss to Mississippi State . Tanner matched a career-high with three blocked shots

Mississippi State: The Bulldogs won their third straight from the Tigers for the fourth time in series history . Mississippi State committed a season-high 15 turnovers . Vivians has scored in double figures 15 straight games

UP NEXT

Auburn plays at No. 12 Tennessee on Sunday.

Mississippi State hosts Arkansas Sunday.