LAS VEGAS -- In a battle of the last two national runners-up, Mississippi State's pressure defense was too much for Syracuse to handle.
Victoria Vivians had 26 points to reach a milestone and added nine rebounds in No. 5 Mississippi State's 76-65 victory over Syracuse on Thursday in the Duel in the Desert.
The 6-foot-1 senior guard became the third player in school history to reach 2,000 career points.
Teaira McCowan added 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Bulldogs (13-0) before fouling out late in the fourth quarter. The 6-foot-7 junior is averaging 24.5 points and 14.