Mississippi State @ Coastal Carolina preview

Mississippi State was competitive against No. 15 Villanova in the semifinals of the Myrtle Beach Invitational, but the Bulldogs fell short Friday in an 83-76 defeat. Before leaving South Carolina, Mississippi State gets another chance to earn a second win at this event as it faces Coastal Carolina in Sunday's consolation game.

The Bulldogs began the tournament Thursday by topping Tulane 80-66, but the team allowed 58.5 percent shooting versus Villanova, which made 41.7 percent from the arc. "Just knowing the intensity was there the whole game," Mississippi State guard Robert Woodard II told reporters. "We need to learn to keep that intensity and as far as defensive assignments, we let some things get away from us. We'll mainly look at the defensive and we'll be smarter on offense." Woodard (17 points) was among a trio of Bulldogs who combined to score 57 of the team's points against Villanova, a group that also included Tyson Carter (22) and Reggie Perry (18 points, 10 rebounds). Coastal Carolina upset Utah in the first round of this event and led No. 23 Baylor at halftime Friday before falling 77-65.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, ESPNews

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE (5-1): The Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season against the Wildcats despite Perry's third double-double of the season. In fact, he nearly averages a double-double (14.5 points, 9.8 rebounds), and Woodard (12.8 points, eight rebounds) isn't far behind in either category. The team's leading scorer is Carter (17.3), who also paces the team in assists (3.8) and steals (2.2) and has made 15 3-pointers - nine more than anyone else on the squad.

ABOUT COASTAL CAROLINA (3-3): The Chanticleers shot 51.1 percent from the floor and a sparkling 9-of-14 from 3-point range against Baylor, but the team was doomed by 22 turnovers. Keishawn Brewton led the team with 17 points off the bench as he drained five 3-pointers in eight attempts to continue his terrific tournament to this point. Brewton is averaging 19.5 points with 11-of-17 3-point shooting in Myrtle Beach, while Devante Jones has made all three of his 3-pointers in this event and is averaging 13 points in the two games.

TIP-INS

1. Mississippi State had only seven turnovers against Villanova with no player committing more than one.

2. After scoring a career-high 21 points against Tulane, Bulldogs freshman G Iverson Molinar had nine points - his second-lowest total of the season - against Villanova.

3. In his last three games, Mississippi State F Abdul Ado has totaled five points in 74 minutes.

PREDICTION: Mississippi State 73, Coastal Carolina 70