UPDATE 2-Republican holds U.S. Senate seat in Mississippi

WASHINGTON, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Republican incumbent Roger Wicker won the U.S. Senate race in Mississippi on Tuesday, beating back a strong challenge by Democrat Ronnie Musgrove, U.S. media projected.

Wicker, who had been appointed at the end of 2007 to fill the Senate seat vacated by retired Republican Sen. Trent Lott, will now serve the remaining four years of that six-year term. Democrats had hoped for an upset victory in this Southern state that has voted Republican in the last seven presidential elections.