Varnado becomes SEC’s leading shot-blocker as Mississippi State beats Bethune-Cookman 67-51
By APSaturday, November 21, 2009
Mississippi State beats Bethune-Cookman 67-51
STARKVILLE, Miss. — Jarvis Varnado scored 10 points, pulled down 10 rebounds and became the all-time leading shot-blocker in the Southeastern Conference as Mississippi State beat Bethune-Cookman 67-51 on Saturday night.
With four blocks, Varnado reached 413 to pass Shaquille O’Neal of LSU (1989-92) with 412.
The Bulldogs (2-1) jumped out to a 5-0 lead on a Varnado dunk, but Bethune-Cookman (1-3) pulled ahead 14-13 on a 3-pointer from Albert Abrahams.
With 6:45 left in the first half, Varnado blocked his first shot and Mississippi State led 31-24 at halftime.
By the time Varnado blocked his record-breaking shot with 10:15 left, the Bulldogs were ahead 46-36.
Ravern Johnson, Barry Stewart and Dee Bost scored 10 points apiece for the Bulldogs, who shot 42.9 percent from the field (24-for-56) and 8-for-20 from 3-point range.
Abrahams had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Wildcats.
