AUBURN, Ala. (AP) - Frankie Sullivan scored 16 points and Kenny Gabriel added 15 points and nine rebounds to help Auburn hold off a Mississippi State comeback attempt in a 65-55 victory on Saturday night.
The Tigers (14-12, 4-8 Southeastern Conference) snapped a three-game losing streak. The Bulldogs (19-8, 6-6) have lost three in a row, including a pair of two-point overtime losses, and cut an 11-point halftime deficit down to three before getting turned back by Auburn.
Varez Ward added 10 points and nine assists for the Tigers, who shot 47 percent while holding Mississippi State to 35 percent.
Arnett Moultrie - who spent two seasons under Auburn coach Tony Barbee at UTEP - had 16 points and 11 rebounds but was 6-of-15 shooting.
Dee Bost added 11 points for the Bulldogs, who made five 3-pointers in 22 attempts.
The Bulldogs played without starting forward Renardo Sidney, who sat out with back spasms.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
