Postgame Notes: No. 25 MSU vs. Nicholls

TEAM NOTES

Mississippi State won its sixth straight game to improve to 6-0 and remain as one of four undefeated SEC squads courtesy of a 74-61 victory over Nicholls.
Ahead 22-18, the Bulldogs took control went on a commanding 22-8 run from the 5:10 mark of the first half to the 17:53 remaining during the second half.
The Maroon and White have won all eight meetings with the Colonels and improved to 53-5 against current members of the Southland Conference.
The Bulldogs have won their opening six outings by an average of 16.7 points per contest.
State remained undefeated in the month of November under Coach Jans (13-0) and unblemished versus non-conference opponent at Humphey Coliseum (10-0).
Overall, the Bulldogs have won 18 of their 20 games versus non-conference opponents under the direction of Coach Jans.
In 80 halves over two seasons with Coach Jans at the helm, State has allowed 30 points or fewer on 46 occasions (57.5 percent).
Over his eight-year coaching career, Coach Jans' teams have amassed a 71-9 record on its home floor, which tabulates to an impressive .888 winning percentage.
The Maroon and White scored 35 of the game's 59 points off the bench. Over the last five games, State has outscored its opponents, 194-68, in bench points.
State sank 20 of its 26 field goals on the interior as the Bulldogs outscored Nicholls, 40-24, in paint points.
State capitalized off a season's best 19 offensive rebounds and put up 20 of the game's 22 points on second-chance opportunities.
The Bulldogs dominated the battle of the boards and seized a 48-29 advantage. The +19 rebounding margin is the largest this season and matched the third-largest during the Jans era at State.
State connected on 26-of-61 from the floor (42.6 percent), a 5-of-23 mark from three-point territory (21.7 percent) and a 17-of-27 clip at the charity stripe (63.0 percent).
Through six games, State has canned 48 three-pointers which is tied for third-most in program history with the 2010-11 team.
Conversely, Nicholls turned in a 21-for-54 shooting effort (38.9 percent), 6-for-20 on its three-pointers (30.0 percent) and a 13-for-20 clip the free throw line (65.0 percent).

PLAYER NOTES

Jimmy Bell Jr.

Started his 40th consecutive game over the last two seasons between Mississippi State and West Virginia.
Overall, Bell Jr. has started in 104 of 121 career games.
Dominated the paint with 11 points and 10 rebounds, which marked his 2nd double-double of the season and the 4th of his career.
Hit on 5+ free throws in two of his last three outings.
Marked his 4th outing in double figures this season and 11th of his career.
Grabbed 10+ rebounds for the 3rd time this season and 5th time of his career.

D.J. Jeffries

Started 71 of 74 career games at State.
Tacked on 8 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
Gives him his 2nd game of the season with 2+ three's made and the 30th career game.
Marked his 3rd effort in 2023-24 and his 30th career performance with 3+ assists.

Cameron Matthews

Started 39 of the team's 40 games over the last two seasons.
Stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points going a perfect 6-6 from the field to go along with 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.
Double digit points in three of his last five efforts, came away with 10+ points for the 14th time in his career.
Collected 29 of his 47 games with 2+ assists, 27 of 45 games of 5+ rebounds and 21 of his 40 games with 2+ steals during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.
Finished with a team-best +25 plus-minus rating.

Dashawn Davis

Started 56 of his 64 games during his tenure at Mississippi State and Oregon State over the last three seasons.
Tacked on 5 points, 4 assists, 2 rebounds and a steal.
Dished out four assists in four of his last five games.

Trey Fort

Started his sixth consecutive game at State to open 2023-24.
Added 3 points and set a new season watermark with 7 rebounds.

Bench

Josh Hubbard recorded his fifth straight game in double figures with a 15-point performance aided by a 6-of-7 clip at the free throw line.
Buried 16 of his 31 field goals this season from beyond the three-point line.
Through 6 games, Hubbard ranks fourth among State freshmen with 97 points. The 97 points are the most for a State freshman since Rickey Brown (1976-77).
Led the bench players with a +21 plus-minus rating.
KeShawn Murphy made his season debut and provided 6 points coupled with 2 rebounds and 2 assists.
The 5th time for Murphy in his career with multiple assists.
Gai Chol tacked on 5 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 block.
The 5 points are his second-highest output on the season.
Jaquan Scott tallied a season's best four points on 2-of-3 shooting.
Shawn Jones Jr. and Shakeel Moore rounded out the scoring with 3 points and 2 points, respectively.
Moore grabbed 2+ steals for the 1st time this season and the 45th of his career.
34 of the 45 occasions for Moore have come at State.
Jones Jr. contributed 4 rebounds, and 2 assists.
Marked the 1st time with 2+ assists this season.

Mississippi State University Athletics

Postgame Notes: No. 25 MSU vs. Nicholls

Players Mentioned

Jimmy Bell Jr.

Gai Chol

Dashawn Davis

Trey Fort

Josh Hubbard

D.J. Jeffries

Shawn Jones Jr.

Cameron Matthews

Shakeel Moore

KeShawn Murphy

Jaquan Scott

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