No. 15 Mississippi State salvaged its trip to Las Vegas by escaping with a narrow victory over Saint Mary's on Wednesday, but the Bulldogs left Sin City with more questions than answers.
Mississippi State, which hosts Alcorn State on Monday, improved to 4-1 although it made only 5 of 24 from 3-point range in a 61-57 victory in the consolation game of the MGM Resorts Main Event.
The Bulldogs regressed from a loss to Arizona State on Nov. 19, a game in which they shot 8 of 30 from the beyond the arc.
Mississippi State coach Ben Howland said he believed his team would be much better shooting from the perimeter this season.