LITTLE ROCK, Ark., March 21 (UPI) -- Charles Rhodes scored a career-high 34 points Friday to rally Mississippi State to a 76-69 decision over Oregon in the NCAA Tournament's first round.
The Bulldogs, seeded eighth in the South Region, trailed by 10 at the half and Oregon's Malik Hairston hit a three-pointer in the opening minute of the second half to make it 41-28. But Mississippi State slowly climbed back in it and regained the lead with 9:48 to play on a dunk by Rhodes.
Oregon grabbed a one-point advantage with 6:53 to go before the Bulldogs put the game away with a late 17-5 run.
Rhodes made 10 of 12 shots and had nine rebounds, helping Mississippi State improve to 23-10. Barry Stewart scored 16 for the Bulldogs, all in the second half.
Hairston scored 22 points for Oregon (18-14), which reached the Elite Eight of last year's tournament before being defeated by eventual champion Florida. The Ducks made just two of 21 three-point attempts in the second half.
