Miss. State clinches share of West title

• By The Associated Press
• Published: Feb 28, 2008

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STARKVILLE, Miss. — Charles Rhodes had a career-high 30 points and nine rebounds to lead Mississippi State to an 89-78 victory over Auburn on Wednesday night and a share of the Southeastern Conference’s Western Division title for the second straight season.

The Bulldogs have now won 13 of their last 15 games against the Tigers, including eight in a row at home.

Auburn (14-12, 4-9 SEC) never threatened Mississippi State (19-8, 10-3) in the second half and shot only 38 percent from the field against the nation’s second-ranked team defense.

Rhodes was 10-for-13 from the field and has scored 20 points or more in three of his last four games. The double-double is his eighth this season and fourteenth of his career.

Jamont Gordon had 20 points and Jarvis Varnado had 14 to go with his eight rebounds and four blocks for the Bulldogs. Ben Hansbrough and Barry Stewart both scored 11 points.

Quan Prowell paced the Tigers with a career-high 31 points on 11-for-21 shooting. Rasheem Barrett had 13 points and Lucas Hargrove had 11. DeWayne Reed also scored 10 points for the Tigers.

FLORIDA 77, GEORGIA 64: In Athens, Ga., Nick Calathes and Florida may not have to answer any more questions about a poor February threatening their hopes for another NCAA tournament run.

Calathes scored 22 points and Florida never trailed while beating Georgia for the Gators’ 10th straight win in the series.

Florida (21-7 overall, 8-5 SEC) needed the win despite already securing its 10th straight 20-win season.

Sundiatta Gaines scored 13 points and Albert Jackson, making his first career start, had 12 for Georgia (12-14, 3-10). Georgia suffered its fourth straight loss and has lost 9 of 10.

Marreese Speights added 15 points and 10 rebounds and Dan Werner added 13 for Florida.

ALABAMA 59, ARKANSAS 56: In Tuscaloosa, Ala., Demetrius Jemison scored a career-high 19 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and made two free throws with 10 seconds left to lift Alabama over Arkansas.