STARKVILLE — On Mississippi State’s senior day, a junior stole the show.

Craig Sword hit two critical 3-point baskets when the Bulldogs were desperate need of a lift.

The shooting spree helped ignite a game-ending run as MSU pulled away to a 52-43 win over Missouri Saturday afternoon at the Humphrey Coliseum.

“He made plays,” MSU head coach Rick Ray said. “When the game is on the line, you expect your best player to make plays.”

MSU finishes the regular season at 13-18 overall and 6-12 in Southeastern Conference play. The Bulldogs earn the No. 12 seed and will face Auburn at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the opening round of the conference tournament in Nashville (SEC Network).

Seniors Roquez Johnson, Trivante Bloodman, Isaiah Butler and Jeffery Johnson were honored in pregame ceremonies. Each drew starts — including the first career starts for Butler and Johnson. Sword was the other starter.

As he has done on most night, Sword shouldered the load with a game-high 15 points on a 5-of-10 night from the floor.

“It’s always emotional,” Sword said. “The last game is always special so we wanted to end it on a good note.”

MSU was never in any danger after overcoming spotting Missouri (9-22, 3-15) the game’s first four points. Still, there was no reason to feel at ease when MSU held a 36-32 lead with 8:30 to play.

Sword’s first trey gave the Bulldogs a 36-27 lead. Still, the Tigers chipped away and were in position.

I.J. Ready got things started with a transition basket. Sword then hit a layup before draining a 25-foot 3-point basket up against an expiring shot clock.

“That is what (Sword) does,” Johnson said. “That is why he is our leader. We had been dealing with some adversity of late. We just hadn’t caught any breaks but we have still kept working at it.”

MSU also got a huge lift from Fallou Ndoye, who played some of his best basketball of the season.

Ndoye only scored two points but pulled down three rebounds and used all of his five fouls to help spark the Bulldogs’ defense.

The early play of Ndoye helped MSU take a 15-10 lead. A 3-pointer by Demetrius Houston lifted the Bulldogs to a 27-19 advantage at halftime.

“Our defensive effort was really good,” Ray said. “We had the type of defensive intensity that you need to have for both halves.”

Still, it was the sharp shooting of Sword which helped bail the Bulldogs out.

Houston added nine points in 18 minutes of play.

“Demetrius has done a much better job of limiting turnovers,” Ray said. “He is a great offensive player and we need him out there more, but you can’t do that if you are going to turn the ball over.

“He has done a much better job the last couple of weeks of taking care of the basketball and that is why he is getting more minutes.”

MSU was out-rebounded by five but only made 12 turnovers.

Now, the team gets ready for the second season after snapping a five-game losing streak.

“We needed some confidence,” Sword said. “This will certainly help.”

Follow Dispatch Sports Writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott.

Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.