Johnson, Sword push Mississippi State past Mississippi 76-72

Mississippi State forward Colin Borchert (3) tries to shoot off the block of Mississippi center Demarco Cox (4) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) (The Associated Press)

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Mississippi State guard I.J. Ready (15) dribbles past defending Mississippi guard Jarvis Summers (32) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis) (The Associated Press)

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Roquez Johnson tied a career high with 20 points, Craig Sword added 15 and Mississippi State beat Mississippi 76-72 on Saturday afternoon.

Johnson shot 7 of 11 from the field on a variety of impressive moves around the basket. Sword was 0 of 7 from the field, but was 15 of 18 on free throws.

Mississippi State (11-4, 1-1 SEC) led 43-36 at halftime, but Ole Miss rallied to push ahead 58-54 by midway through the second half.

Jarvis Summers led Ole Miss (10-5, 1-1) with 23 points, including a 3-pointer that tied the game at 72 with 1:19 remaining. But Mississippi State scored the final four points at the free-throw line to seal the win.

Mississippi State has won 15 of the last 16 against Ole Miss in Starkville.

Ole Miss was playing without suspended leading scorer Marshall Henderson for a second straight game.