Johnson scores 15 points as Mississippi State cruises past LSU 67-51 in SEC play

Johnson leads Mississippi State past LSU 67-51

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Ravern Johnson scored 15 points to lead Mississippi State to a 67-51 victory over LSU on Saturday.

Mississippi State (16-5, 4-2 Southeastern Conference) took advantage of a poor shooting performance by LSU to end a two-game conference skid that dropped the Bulldogs into second place in the conference’s Western Division.

The Tigers (9-12, 0-7) shot 34.6 percent (18-for-52) from the field in the game and went 5-for-15 from beyond the arc.

Mississippi State opened the game on a 10-2 run and led 23-15 at halftime.

The Bulldogs extended their lead to 37-21 in the opening minutes of the second half and never trailed.

Jarvis Varnado scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Bulldogs. Barry Stewart and Phil Turner added 12 points each.

Tasmin Mitchell scored a game-high 26 points and had 10 rebounds.