Kegler, Holman Lead MSU Past DSU in Exhibition Play

Friday, November 4

Starkville

7:00 PM

Mississippi State

0-0

Delta State (Exh.)

0-0

Delta State

Mississippi State

Mario Kegler had a team-high 18 points in the Bulldogs' 78-63 win against Delta State on Friday.

Kegler, Holman Lead MSU Past DSU in Exhibition Play

November 04, 2016 | Men's Basketball

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STARKVILLE, Miss. — Youthful production helped Mississippi State to a 78-63 victory against Delta State in an exhibition contest at Humphrey Coliseum on Friday.

Highly-touted freshman Mario Kegler had a roaring start to his Bulldog career, tallying a team-high 18 points to go along with 8 rebounds.

New faces were not the only ones getting the job done. Sophomore Aric Holman was a force around the basket, earning a double-double with15 points and 10 boards to go along with 4 blocks.

MSU coach Ben Howland was pleased with how the Owensboro, Kentucky, native not only scored, but rebounded.

"I am pleased about (Holman's) rebounding," Howland said. "His conditioning has improved. I am happy for Aric because he's worked very hard."

Holman said that he felt more comfortable around the basket than he did last season.

"I got my legs back under me," he said. "Last year, I didn't feel comfortable running and jumping so I played timid. I felt more comfortable all around tonight."

Despite the Statesmen getting the first lead of the contest, Howland's team remain composed and eventually took the lead for good on a free throw by sophomore Quinndary Weatherspoon with 13:39 remaining in the first half at 12-11.

Weatherspoon realized the youth of the team and hoped the exhibition was a good start to getting the new Bulldogs acclimated to the speed of the game.

"I just wanted to come out and play hard," said Weatherspoon, who collected 8 rebounds to go with 12 points. "We have a different and young team this year. I just tried to get a lot of experience with them this first game and tried to see where their head is to let us know what we have to do during the season."

For the game, MSU was 26-64 shooting, 8-28 beyond the arc. DSU was 21-54 from the floor, 10-23 from 3-point range. MSU also won the battle of the boards, 48-33, while dishing out 12 assists, collecting 9 steals and blocking 7 shots.

The Bulldogs officially tip off the season against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference foe Norfolk State at 7 p.m. CT on Friday, Nov. 11. MSU's season opener against the Spartans can be seen on SEC Network+ and heard on the MSU Radio Network, with Jim Ellis and Richard Williams on the call.