DENTON, Texas (AP) — D.J. Stewart Jr. made a 3-pointer with two seconds remaining to lead Mississippi State to a 68-67 win over short-handed Richmond in the NIT quarterfinals on Thursday night.
Trailing 67-65, Mississippi State forward Abdul Ado missed two free throws with 16 seconds left, and then fouled out to send Andre Gustavson to the line at 8.7. Gustavson missed the front end of a 1-and-1 to set up Stewart’s winner.
Richmond was not able to get a shot off before the buzzer as Stewart secured the tipped inbound pass near midcourt.
Stewart finished with 22 points, making all 10 of his free throw attempts for Mississippi State (17-14). Iverson Molinar had 18 points and seven rebounds, Ado added 11 rebounds and Javian Davis had seven rebounds.
Mississippi State was 16 of 18 from the line — with its only misses coming from Ado in the closing seconds.
Jacob Gilyard tied a season high with 22 points and had six assists for the Spiders (14-9). Matt Grace added 16 points.
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1of15Mississippi State guard D.J. Stewart Jr. (3) is picked up while celebrating with teammates, including guard Iverson Molinar (1) and forward Quinten Post (32), following the team's win over Richmond in an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Denton, Texas.Ron Jenkins/APShow MoreShow Less2of15Mississippi State guard D.J. Stewart Jr. (3) hits the go-ahead shot as Richmond guard Jacob Gilyard (0) and guard Blake Francis (1) defend during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Denton, Texas.Ron Jenkins/APShow MoreShow Less
3of154of15Richmond guard Jacob Gilyard goes to floor for a loose ball as Mississippi State forward Derek Fountain stands over him during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Denton, Texas.Ron Jenkins/APShow MoreShow Less5of15Mississippi State plays Richmond during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Denton, Texas.Ron Jenkins/APShow MoreShow Less
6of157of15Mississippi State guard Iverson Molinar (1) goes to floor for a loose ball as Richmond guard Andre Gustavson (22) and Richmond forwards Matt Grace (15) and Tyler Burton (3) watch during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Denton, Texas.Ron Jenkins/APShow MoreShow Less8of15Richmond guard Jacob Gilyard reacts after making a 3-point basket against Mississippi State during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Denton, Texas.Ron Jenkins/APShow MoreShow Less
9of1510of15Richmond coach Chris Mooney gestures during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Mississippi State in the semifinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Denton, Texas.Ron Jenkins/APShow MoreShow Less11of15Mississippi State coach Ben Howland reacts during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against Richmond in the semifinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Denton, Texas.Ron Jenkins/APShow MoreShow Less
12of1513of15Mississippi State guard Iverson Molinar (1) scores against Richmond during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Denton, Texas.Ron Jenkins/APShow MoreShow Less14of15Mississippi State forward Quinten Post (32) looks to shoot as Richmond forward Tyler Burton (3) tumbles over behind him as Richmond guard Isaiah Wilson (21) watches during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the NIT, Thursday, March 25, 2021, in Denton, Texas.Ron Jenkins/APShow MoreShow Less
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Richmond was again without its top two leading scorers in Blake Francis (hip/back), 16.1 points per game, and Grant Golden (finger).
