Postgame Notes: MSU vs. UT Martin

TEAM NOTES

Mississippi State opened its 2023-24 home campaign with an 87-63 win over UT Martin. The Bulldogs closed the opening half scoring 13 of last 17 points over the last 4:53 and stretched its lead to a 21-point margin during the first four minutes of the second half.
The 87 points are the most scored for State under Chris Jans and the most scored during a home opener since a 95-67 victory over Austin Peay in 2018-19.
State has recorded 14 consecutive wins in home openers since 2009-10.
Going back to the 1991-92 season, the Bulldogs have won nine straight against UT Martin and improved to 10-1 overall versus the Skyhawks.
Under Chris Jans, State remained undefeated against non-conference opponents at home improving its overall record to 8-0. Overall, the Maroon and White have won 14 of 16 games against non-conference opponents.
Over his career, Coach Jans' teams are 69-9 on their home floor and sport an impressive .885 winning percentage.
In 72 halves dating back to last season, State limited the opposition to under a 35 percent shooting clip 26 times (36.1 percent).
State hit 13 three's and tallied nine blocks, which are both the most in a single game under Coach Jans.
The Bulldogs outscored UT Martin in bench points, 44-17.
State converted 13 offensive rebounds into 24 of the game's 28 points on second-chance opportunities.

PLAYER NOTES

Jimmy Bell Jr.

Started his 36th consecutive game over the last two seasons between Mississippi State and West Virginia. Overall, Bell Jr. has started in 100 of 117 career games.
Tacked on seven points coupled with a career-high tying 12 rebounds and three blocks.
Marks his 5th career game of 2+ blocks and 3rd career game with 10+ rebounds.

D.J. Jeffries

Cameron Matthews

Dashawn Davis

Started 52 of 60 games over the last three seasons between Mississippi State and Oregon State.
Put up 9 points and added 4 assists.

Trey Fort

Started his second consecutive game at State.
Made it back-to-back games in double figures with 11 points.
Eight of his nine field goals have been from three-point territory in his first two games.

Bench

Josh Hubbard poured in 14 of his team-leading 22 points during the second half. Overall, he was 7-of-12 shooting fueled by five triples.
The 22 points for Hubbard enabled him to become the 7th freshmen in program history during the 2000s to score 20-plus points off the bench.
The list is highlighted by 1,000-point scorers Tyson Carter, Lamar Peters, Barry Stewart and Quinndary Weatherspoon.
Seven of Hubbard's nine field goals have been treys over his first two games.
Hubbard notched a plus/minus ratio of +26 only behind Cameron Matthews.
Gai Chol logged double figures for the first time with 11 points to go along with six rebounds during his second collegiate game.
Chol was 3-of-4 from the floor and a flawless 5-for-5 at the foul line.
Shawn Jones Jr. tacked on 8 points for the second consecutive game.
Jones registered 2+ steals for the 5th time during his career and 2+ blocks for the 3rd time in his career.
Andrew Taylor scored his first points in Maroon and White with a three-ball late in the game courtesy of an Isaac Stansbury assist.

Mississippi State University Athletics