STARKVILLE, Miss. ? The University of South Alabama dropped an 84-46 decision at Mississippi State on Saturday. The Jags fall to 5-4 on the year, while Mississippi State improves to 5-2. Freshman Charles Tabet led the Jaguars with 11 points all in the second half.

Mississippi State took charge from the outset as it kept the Jaguars at bay, holding a 6-10 point lead for most of the half. A 3-pointer by junior Demetric Bennett at the 2:48 mark cut the Bulldog lead to nine points, but MSU went on a 7-0 run to end the half. MSU went into intermission with a 38-22 advantage.

For the half, USA shot a season-low 29.4 percent on 10-of-34 from the field. USA was 2-of-16 from beyond the arc and were 0-of-4 from the free throw line. Bennett led the Jags with five points in the half. MSU shot 42 percent from the floor and were not much better from beyond the arc at 15.4 (2-of-13). One of differences in the first half was from the free throw line as MSU was 8-of-10.

A jumper by senior Carlos Smith got things started right for the Jaguars in the second half, but MSU came back with a 19-2 run to take control of the game with just over 15 minutes to play.

Mississippi State had the lead up to as many as 44, but a late surge by the Jaguars cut the deficit to 38.

For the game, USA shot a season-low 30.2 percent on 19-of-63 from the floor. The Jaguars also were a season-worst 2-of-24 from beyond the arc and were 6-of-12 from the free throw line.

Despite the loss, Tabet was the lone Jaguar in double figures with 11 points all in the second half. He was a career-best 4-of-7 from the field and 3-of-4 from the line, while pulling down four rebounds.

Mississippi State had five players in double figures and were led by Jamont Gordon and Reginald Delk with 14 each.

The Jags return home to face their final SEC opponent of the season in the 2006 Coors Classic on Sat., Dec 16 at 5 p.m. in the Mitchell Center against Ole Miss.