COL BKB: Alabama 80, Miss. State 79

TUSCALOOSA, Ala., Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Ronald Steele sank a fast-break lay-up with 6.7 seconds left Wednesday night to give 19th-ranked Alabama an 80-79 victory over Mississippi State.

The Crimson Tide overcame a 77-72 deficit in the final 1:10 of the contest to improve to 18-5 overall (5-4 SEC).

Richard Hendrix led Alabama with 22 points and 10 rebounds.

Jermareo Davidson had 17 points and 11 rebounds; Mykal Riley had 14 points and three rebounds; and Steele added 10 points and seven assists for the Crimson Tide, who have a three-game winning streak and rose to 12-1 at home to date.

Jamont Gordon led the Bulldogs (12-10, 3-6) with 27 points and nine rebounds.

Dietric Slater had 13 points and eight rebounds; while Ben Hansbrough added 10 points and five assists for the Bulldogs, who could not build on their 85-78 decision over LSU last Saturday.