Sincere Parker's halfcourt heave beat the buzzer to end the first half, cutting Mississippi State's halftime lead to 34-30. After starting the game 1-of-10 from the field, the Tigers made back-to-back buckets (starting with Curtis Givens III's jumper) to cut Mississippi State's lead to 16-9 with 11:28 left in the first half.

Mississippi State earned a statement nonconference win, holding off Memphis 71-66 with strong defense and late-game execution at Humphrey Coliseum.

Memphis basketball guard Sincere Parker beat the halftime buzzer with a 50-foot heave against Mississippi State Dec. 20 in Starkville, Mississippi.

Jayden Epps scored 19 points and Mississippi State fought off Memphis for a 71-66 win. Reserve Curtis Givens III scored 18 points for Memphis.

Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans was hoping for some momentum and a nice Christmas present on Saturday at Humphrey Coliseum. His Bulldog squad delivered just that with a 71-6 victory over Memphis to close out the pre-Christmas schedule.

Both Memphis and Mississippi State will aim to get their seasons pointed in the right direction when squaring off on Saturday in Starkville, Miss.

Mississippi State hosts the Memphis Tigers after Josh Hubbard scored 34 points in Mississippi State's 87-83 win against the Long Island Sharks.

Close losses, close wins and lingering questions surround Mississippi State as the Bulldogs prepare for a revealing matchup against Memphis.

Memphis basketball has a chance to go into American Conference play on a high note – and do the Tigers ever need it.