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Coach Sam Purcell had a challenge for the team entering Thursday: answer the call. “I thought we had a great scout at LSU, but we didn't do anything we worked on for two days in

Arkansas trailed the entire game and Mississippi State held on to a 20-plus point lead for most of the second half. The Razorbacks got as close as eight points, in the second quarter, after Higginbottom was fouled and converted the and-one. The Hogs finished the first half on a nearly three-minute scoring drought.

Mississippi State finished 33 of 70 (47%) from the field, 9 of 21 (43%) beyond the arc and 3 of 8 (37.5%) from the foul line. The Bulldogs had 44 paint points. “You’ve got to give Mississippi State credit,” Neighbors said. “This is a team that we all picked really high based on the level of talent that they brought in.”

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State women’s basketball is back in the win column. The Bulldogs (17-7, 4-6) cruised past Arkansas 78-55 on Thursday night at Humphrey Coliseum. It snapped a two-game losing streak.