A return to Newell-Grissom Building could not stop Mississippi State’s skid, as the Bulldogs suffered their fourth consecutive straight-sets defeat Wednesday night against South Carolina.

MSU (11-13, 4-10 Southeastern Conference) fell behind early in the first set but rallied back, briefly taking a 19-18 lead before the Gamecocks (10-13, 4-10) finished the set strong. In the second set, the Bulldogs led by as many as four points early on, and then the teams went back and forth into extra points. South Carolina staved off three MSU set points and ultimately closed out the marathon on a service ace by Ellie Ruprich.

The third set followed a similar script, also going into extra points and also featuring the Gamecocks successfully defending set point. An attack error by the Bulldogs’ Caylee Sharkey gave South Carolina match point, and the visitors finished off the sweep on a Lauren McCutcheon kill.

Karli Schmidt and Rebecca Walk led MSU with 11 and nine kills, respectively, and each hit .300 or better on the night. Emily Oerther finished with 24 assists and Alexa Fortin Goede had 12, as the Bulldogs used a two-setter lineup for much of the match. Lauren Myrick was big on the defensive end with 12 digs.

MSU’s defense, though, was no match for Kiune Fletcher, who racked up 26 kills in the three-set match. Setter Claire Wilson delivered 45 assists for the Gamecocks.

The Bulldogs remain home next Wednesday, when MSU hosts Auburn.