A career-high 32 points from D.J. Stewart and an acrobatic play by Iverson Molinar at the end of regulation weren’t enough for Mississippi State to leave Atlanta with a statement victory over Dayton on Saturday.
In a tightly contested affair on a neutral court, the Bulldogs made 9 of 22 free throws for a putrid charity stripe shooting percentage of 40 percent that proved to be the difference in their 85-82 double-overtime loss to the Flyers.
“It’s gut-wrenching to lose shooting 9-for-22 from the foul line,” MSU coach Ben Howland said in a postgame interview. “Three of them were on the front end of a one-and-one. Any time you miss the front end of a one-and-one, that’s two points you’re missing out on.”
After Dayton made a pair of free throws with 5 seconds left in regulation to take a two-point lead, Molinar went coast to coast and utilized a screen set by Abdul Ado, attacking the rim while falling down and converting the game-tying layup, sending the contest into overtime. At the end of the first overtime, Molinar had a chance to be the hero again but could only watch as his 15-foot game-winning attempt clanked off the rim.
Stewart finished 13 of 22 from the field in his career day while Molinar chipped in 20 points and seven assists.
“D.J. was phenomenal,” Howland said. “He just did so many good things for us offensively.”
Tolu Smith, who played most of the second half with four fouls, was the only other Bulldog in double figures (13), while he also grabbed seven rebounds.
The Bulldogs shot 45.3 percent from the field and 5 of 17 beyond the arc. Dayton shot 52.7 percent from the floor, made 8 of 22 from long range and converted 19 of 26 free throws. The Flyers struggled with ball protection, committing 17 turnovers throughout the afternoon. Jalen Crutcher led Dayton with 23 points, while Ibi Watson contributed 21.
MSU is back in action against Central Arkansas at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Humphrey Coliseum.
Hodge is the former sports editor for The Dispatch.
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