STARKVILLE, Miss. - The Wildcats had no trouble putting the ball in the basket, but the nation's No. 17 team proved a bit too much as Mississippi State prevailed, 87-73, Tuesday night at Humphrey Coliseum.



FIRST HALF

Josh Hubbard's three ball at the 16-minute mark gave Mississippi State (12-1) early momentum, kick-starting a 9-0 run that took an 11-9 game to 20-9 in favor of the Bulldogs in the early goings. 

Mississippi State's Riley Kugel hit another three just before the under-12 media to give the Bulldogs their largest lead fo the first half at 27-14.

Bethune-Cookman (3-10) played tough, rattling off the next 12 straight points to cut the deficit to just one at 27-26, highlighted by seven points from Trey Thomas and a Seneca Willoughby three-pointer.

The Bulldogs responded with a run of their own, scoring nine straight, while B-CU answered the bell again scoring the next nine to keep to within 38-35 with four to play in the half. 

A free-throw laden end to the first half saw Mississippi State head into the break leading 52-45.


SECOND HALF

A quick and-one out of the break by Reggie Ward Jr. made it a four-point game at 52-48 before the gap rose to 10 again on a Michael Nwoko dunk that made it 60-50 through the first four minutes in the second half. 

An acrobatic steal and score by Brayon Freeman made it 65-57 with 12 to play. 

From there, Mississippi State's lead began to grow, reaching as high as 79-61 on a Bulldog steal and a pair of free throws. 

B-CU did not quit, as David Onanina and Ward Jr. drained back-to-back jumpers to bring the lead back down to 12, but the Cats could come no closer as Mississippi State prevailed, 87-73.

• Brayon Freeman and Trey Thomas led the way with 21 points each, a season-high for Thomas. 
• Reggie Ward Jr. added 14 - he was the only other Wildcat in double figures.
• B-CU's top three combined to shoot 20-33 from the field (61%).
• Ward Jr. Grabbed a team-high 12 boards, good for his fifth double-double of the season. 
• B-CU dished out only five assists on the game. They turned the ball over 17 times. 
• Mississppi State scored 24 points off turnovers, 34 points off the bench, and 21 points on the fast break. 

SWAC play is up next for B-CU as the Wildcats head to the state capitol to take on the rival Rattlers of Florida A&M on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 6 p.m. 


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