NASHVILLE, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Lawrence Roberts had 18 points and 14 rebounds as No. 7 Mississippi State remained unbeaten on the road by holding on Saturday for a 72-69 triumph over Vanderbilt.
Mississippi State (23-3, 12-2 SEC West) never took command until Roberts' jumper near the eight-minute mark gave it the lead for good, 57-55. The Bulldogs, who improved to 11-0 on the road, held the Commodores at bay with a combination of their defense and free-throw shooting.
The Bulldogs knocked off the Commodores for the fourth straight meeting and buoyed their hopes of a possible top seed in the NCAA Tournament. They have won 10 of their last 11 games.
Vanderbilt (18-7) had a three-game winning streak snapped and was led by Matt Freije's 26 points.
