STARKVILLE — Craig Sword hit a lull.
The Mississippi State senior guard failed to score in double digits in the final two games of December and the first Southeastern Conference game last week. The Bulldogs won the first two, but they missed Sword’s production in a one-point loss to Texas A&M last Wednesday.
But Sword bounced back Saturday with a team-high 21 points in an 82-68 loss at Arkansas. It was the first time he led MSU in scoring since a Dec. 16 loss to Florida State (20 points).
Sword, who led the Bulldogs in scoring in each of the last three seasons, will look to build on the performance at 6 tonight (ESPN) when MSU (7-7, 0-2 SEC) faces No. 14 Kentucky (12-3, 2-1) at Rupp Arena.
“I think Arkansas’ press opened up my game more because they were jumping to the ball,” Sword said of biggest difference for his increase in production. “They were just kind of out of order when they were pressing, so I had a chance to attack their bigs.”
The Montgomery, Alabama, native was 7 of 9 from the field, 2 of 3 from 3-point range, and 5 of 8 from the free-throw line in 32 minutes. In the three previous games, Sword made seven shots form the field (no 3-pointers) and five free throws.
Sword, who wasn’t bothered by Arkansas’ full-court pressure, made four layups, including three in the first half. He scored six-straight points, including a go-ahead layup, late in the first half. He also had a two-handed slam to pull the Bulldogs within five with a little more than four minutes left.
“Arkansas is a team that really gets out and gets after it, so it really opened a lot of opportunities for him to drive,” MSU coach Ben Howland said. “I thought he did a good job of attacking.”
Howland said he was most impressed with Sword’s eight rebounds, but said his six turnovers were too many.
Sword, who is third on the team in scoring (12.4 points per game), has developed a reputation as a slasher. Most of his points have come on drives, floaters, or layups or from the free throws he has created thanks to his ability to get into the paint.
Sword, who earned second-team All-SEC honors last season, has scored in double figures the last three seasons. Arkansas coach Mike Anderson said the Razorbacks didn’t have an answer for Sword. He added he loves the way Sword plays and that he has no fear. That’s a trait other SEC coaches have noticed.
“He continues to play hard,” Kentucky coach John Calipari said. “He’s not afraid to be physical and he looks a little bit unleashed offensively. He’s hurt us in the past, and it’s a hard matchup for us.”
In five career games against Kentucky, Sword has scored in double digits in four and has 49 points, 10 rebounds, and seven steals. His best game came in an 85-63 loss Jan. 8, 2014, when he had 19 points, two rebounds, and three steals. His play helped MSU take a 40-37 halftime lead before stumbling in the second half.
Sword said growing up he always wanted to win and that led to him not being afraid of anything he faced on the basketball court. He continues to show no fear when he’s on the court.
“I’m going to do everything I can to try and get a win for my team,” Sword said. “I think I am fearless. I’m really not scared of anything.”
Sword has shown that by driving and slashing. The 6-foot-3, 197-pounder is outsized when he gets into the lane, but he has taken the beatings and hasn’t strayed from what helped him earn a Division I scholarship.
Sword had surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back before the 2014-15 season and missed the first four games in the final season for coach Rick Ray. It took him some time to get back to his explosive nature, but he led MSU in scoring in eight of the final 10 games. He scored 20 or more points four times in that stretch.
This past spring, Sword had a second back surgery. Howland said Sword has been dealing with shoulder issues all season. He said Sword tweaked his shoulder Sunday in practice, but the Bulldogs haven’t seen it bother him.
“I had to guard him (Sunday) and the whole time I tried to beat him up,” MSU senior forward Travis Daniels said.
MSU looked like it had addressed its offensive issues, but it has failed to break the 70-point mark in the last two games.
Howland said he wants the offense to go through senior center Gavin Ware, who leads the team with 17.2 ppg., but Sword has shown he can lead the team offensively. The Bulldogs will need Sword, Ware, freshman Malik Newman (13 ppg.), and junior point guard I.J. Ready (10.1) to deliver on offense.
It remains to be seen if the lull is over for Sword, but Daniels said Sword is unselfish and won’t try to force things.
“I’m not worried about getting mine,” Sword said. “If a defense packs it in, I just dribble to get somebody else open. That’s all I’m really concerned about, my teammates.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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