Mississippi State wins SEC Tournament

TAMPA, Fla., March 15 (UPI) -- Phil Turner scored seven late points Sunday to boost Mississippi State to a 64-61 victory against Tennessee in the SEC Tournament final at Tampa.

Turner finished his clutch effort with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

In the final 1:35, he buried a 3-pointer and sank 4-of-4 free throws. The trey gave MSU an insurmountable 59-58 lead.

Barry Stewart and Ravern Johnson scored 11 points apiece for the Bulldogs (23-12), who last won the event in 2002.

Their improbable title came on the strength of four wins in four days at the St. Pete Times Forum.

Wayne Chism led Tennessee with 15 points and seven rebounds.

J.P. Prince scored 14 with six rebounds, while Tyler Smith added 12 with five rebounds for the Volunteers (21-12), who were denied their first title since 1979.

The Vols were playing in the final for the first time since 1991.