Postgame Notes: MSU vs. South Dakota

TEAM NOTES

Riding yet another complete performance, Mississippi State defeated South Dakota 79-42 earning their fourth straight win to start the year
The win marked the program's 501st victory at The Hump and enabled the Bulldogs to move to 4-0 for the second consecutive season.
Chris Jans became the 9th head coach in program history to win his opening four games. Most recently, Jans is joined on the list by Kermit Davis Sr. (1970-71, 4-0), Jim Hatfield (1978-79, 8-0), and Rick Stansbury (1998-99, 8-0).
The Bulldogs continue to dominate games during the second half. Over the course of the season, the Maroon and White have outscored their opponents 194-11 and limited the opposition to a 42-for-139 shooting clip (30.2 percent).
As a team, the Bulldogs connected on 34-of-72 from the floor (48.6 percent), 7-of-25 (28 percent) from three, and 4-of-9 from the free throw line (44.4 percent).
Defensively, State held their opponents to 16-of-54 (29.6 percent) from the floor, 5-of-25 (20 percent) from three, and 5-of-6 (83.3 percent) from the free throw line.
The Bulldogs capitalized on heads-up defense by scoring a season-high 30 points off turnovers compared to South Dakota's two points in the same column.
The Dawgs won the battle of the boards for the fourth consecutive game and outrebounded South Dakota by a 47-32 clip headed by a season's best 21 offensive boards.
MSU also controlled the interior scoring, putting in 46 points in the paint compared to South Dakota's 18 points
The Maroon and White's 41 second half points was their highest scored in a second half this year and matched their highest scoring frame of the campaign.
South Dakota's 15 first half points was the lowest total MSU has allowed in the first period this season.
Following a South Dakota bucket to make it 2-0, MSU immediately tore off a 17-3 run, that they would ride to a 38-15 first half advantage
The Bulldogs would not allow a field goal for the last 8:34 of the first half

PLAYER NOTES

Tolu Smith

Contributed a team-leading 16 points, which marks 11 consecutive games in double figures dating back to the Missouri game from a season ago on 02/20/2022.
Has Started in 54 of 55 career outings at MSU
Scored in double figures in 40 of 55 career games in Maroon and White.
Moved to within 146 points shy of reaching 1,000 for his career.
Chipped in six rebounds, an assist, and a block

D.J. Jeffries

Made his 35th career start at MSU
Scored 12 points to capture his third consecutive outing in double figures.
Marked his 45th career outing in double figures, MSU and Memphis are 35-10 in those games.
Closed to within 172 points of reaching 1,000 for his career.
Matched a career high with four made three-point shots.
Registered a team-best +25 over his 26 minutes on the floor.
Led the team in rebounds with 9

Cameron Matthews

Scored six straight points to start the scoring night for MSU.
Amassed a season-high 14 points and drained all six of his shot attempts.
The 14 points was his second-highest career scoring output.
Pitched in six rebounds and three assists.
Marked the 20th game with two-plus assists for his career.

Bench

Justin Rumph hit two three's to secure a career-high of six points.
Tyler Stevenson posted eight points for the second straight outing.
Will McNair Jr. recorded six points, five rebounds, and two steals.
Shakeel Moore tallied six points and tied a career-high with five steals.
Shawn Jones Jr. added five points and four rebounds of his own, alongside his first two career blocks
Kimani Hamilton dished out a team-leading four assists.

Postgame Notes: MSU vs. South Dakota

Players Mentioned

Kimani Hamilton

D.J. Jeffries

Shawn Jones Jr.

Cameron Matthews

Will McNair Jr.

Shakeel Moore

Justin Rumph

Tolu Smith III

Tyler Stevenson

Mississippi State University Athletics

Postgame Notes: MSU vs. South Dakota

Players Mentioned

Kimani Hamilton

D.J. Jeffries

Shawn Jones Jr.

Cameron Matthews

Will McNair Jr.

Shakeel Moore

Justin Rumph

Tolu Smith III

Tyler Stevenson

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