STARKVILLE, Miss. — In a commanding performance on Friday night, Mississippi State defeated Georgia State with a score of 101-66, backed by strong contributions from Josh Hubbard, who scored 15 points, and Riley Kugel, who added 14 points.

Mississippi State showcased impressive shooting accuracy, maintaining over 60% for much of the contest. However, they faced a stretch where they missed eight consecutive shots, ending the game with a shooting percentage of 58% after hitting 42 of 72 attempts. The Bulldogs had previously dominated West Georgia, winning 95-60, where they also shot 55% and made 14 three-pointers, marking their highest total since the 2018-19 season.

The scoring began with Michael Nwoko for Georgia State, but Mississippi State quickly took control and never looked back. They established a double-digit lead during a 15-1 scoring run in the middle of the first half.

Kugel made a highlight-reel dunk with 3:34 remaining in the game, extending Mississippi State’s lead to 43 points.

In addition to Hubbard and Kugel, Kanye Clary contributed 11 points, while both RJ Melendez and Claudell Harris Jr. chipped in with 10 points each, helping Mississippi State move to a 2-0 record this season.

For Georgia State, Toneari Lane led with 15 points, followed by Cesare Edwards with 13. Zarique Nutter added 11 points and Nick McMullen scored 10, leaving Georgia State at 1-1.

Recently, Hubbard was named to the preseason watch list for the prestigious John R. Wooden Award, which is a testament to his performance, as he averages 17.1 points per game, ranking fourth among returning SEC players. Mississippi State has been well represented on the Wooden Award list, with players recognized in three of the last four seasons, including Iverson Molinar and Tolu Smith III.

As the season progresses, the Bulldogs aim to secure their third consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament, a feat accomplished only twice in the program’s history.