NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Mississippi State needs, at the very least, to pile up some wins in the Southeastern Conference Tournament this weekend to keep its NCAA Tournament hopes alive.

The Bulldogs have one.

Josh Hubbard scored 14 of his 24 points in the second half, when he helped Mississippi State pull away late and beat LSU 70-60 on Thursday.

“We knew it was a good opportunity for us. Big game. One of our biggest games of the year,” Hubbard said. “So we just came with a mentality of preparation and confidence. We knew that we have to earn it, that it wouldn’t be easy or given to us.”

The ninth-seeded Bulldogs (20-12) snapped a four-game losing streak that ended their regular season and will face top seed and No. 5-ranked Tennessee in Friday’s quarterfinals at noon. Mississippi State beat the Volunteers 77-72 on Jan. 10.

ESPN projected Mississippi State as in the NCAA Tournament field of 68 teams if it beat LSU. Still, getting another win or two — especially against a top-10 team like Tennessee — wouldn’t hurt.

“I mean, we’re in the SEC tournament right now. We’re not in the NCAA tournament. We focus on the SEC tournament. We try to keep advancing. We’re not ready to go home,” said Mississippi State’s Tolu Smith, who had eight points and 13 rebounds. “We are packed till Sunday. I think that’s main focus, our main concern. We’ll get there when the rubber meets the road.”

Hubbard was only 6-of-16 shooting but made 9 of 10 free throws. Dashawn Davis added 12 points. D.J. Jeffries had 11 rebounds as the Bulldogs outrebounded the Tigers 24-12 in the second half, reversing the first-half totals.

Trae Hannibal scored 18 points and Hunter Dean 10 for LSU (17-15), which likely saw its season end unless it is able to secure an NIT bid.

“Really proud of our players, for their response when adversity hit multiple times this season. Hopefully we’ll have the opportunity to continue to play,” LSU coach Matt McMahon said.

The Bulldogs rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit, grabbing the lead for good with 12 minutes left on two Hubbard free throws. They had a nine-point advantage after a Shakeel Moore 3-pointer with eight minutes remaining. They shot 51 percent in the second half.

Hannibal led a LSU comeback and got the Tigers within a point, but Hubbard hit a pair of 3-pointers and added another basket over the next four minutes and the Bulldogs went out in front by 10 with a minute left.

“I feel like coming out of the half, we start off slow,” Hannibal said. “That’s been a thing for us this year. We get a big lead, get too complacent, too relaxed. Came out and punched us in the mouth. I think that’s where it started off.”

MISSISSIPPI STATE VS. TENNESSEE
• Friday, Noon
• SEC Tournament quarterfinals
• TV: SEC Network; Radio: 105.5 FM