Mississippi State shot 50 percent in the first half and used a 13-0 run in the second to beat Alabama 68-55 on Thursday night.

Diamber Johnson scored 22 points and Mary Kathryn Govero 21 for Mississippi State (11-16, 3-12 Southeastern Conference). Tierney Jenkins had 17 points and 17 rebounds for Alabama (15-13, 4-11).

Mississippi State hit nine 3-pointers and shot 54.5 percent for the game. It was 11-for-18 (61.1 percent) in the second half.

UTEP 77, USM 49

Five UTEP players scored in double figures and the Miners took advantage of 24 Southern Miss turnovers to beat the Lady Eagles 77-49 on Thursday night.

UTEP (14-12, 6-8 Conference USA) pulled away with a 17-4 run late in the first half. Dietra Caldwell led UTEP with 15 points, all on 3-pointers.

Tanesha Washington had 15 points and eight rebounds for Southern Miss (10-17, 5-9).