Mississippi State Men's Basketball Conquers Nicholls, 74-61
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Mississippi State defeated Nicholls 74-61, behind three players finishing with double-digit points. However, this was an all-around affair as the Bulldogs collectively tallied 18 assists.
There was a disparaging height difference heading into this game, as the Colonels' tallest starter was 6-foot-7, while the Bulldogs had two starters with that height and 6-foot-10 Jimmy Bell Jr. as well.
The physical size margin was certainly apparent in the first half, as the Bulldogs hauled in 10 offensive rebounds in the period. These second-chance buckets were crucial in going to the locker room up 36-24.
Some of the second chance buckets were converted immediately after the rebound, but others were dished behind the arc, as Mississippi State hit five threes on a relatively efficient 33 percent from that area.
Other offensive rebounds led to a shooting foul and sent the Bulldogs to the free throw line. Nevertheless, the halftime score would've been a bit different if Mississippi State made more free throws, as they shot just 45.5 percent from the charity stripe.
Thankfully, the Bulldogs' free throw miscues were corrected in the second half, as they finished the game shooting 63 percent.
Besides a quick alley-oop between forwards D.J. Jeffries and Cameron Matthews to open up the final 20 minutes, Mississippi State often took its time and chewed the clock down before putting points on the board. One of those instances occurred with forward KeShawn Murphy, who made his season debut on Friday after being sidelined with a foot injury.
Just like in the first half, Mississippi State continued to lock Nicholls down on defense in the second, as they held the Colonels to 38.9 percent shooting from the field. The Bulldogs also furthered their dominance on the glass, ending the contest with a staggering 19 offensive rebounds, including five from Bell, who tallied a double-double.
Mississippi State once held a 23-point lead late in the second half, but a Nicholls took advantage of the Bulldogs' relaxing play-style by getting steals and cutting the lead a bit shorter.
