State Handles UT-Pan American, 75-50, For Third Consecutive Win

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STARKVILLE, Miss. - For the third time in four games, All-SEC senior Jarvis Varnado registered a double-double as the Mississippi State Bulldogs (3-1) rode a tight second-half defense to a 75-50 victory against the Texas Pan-American Broncs (0-5) in Humphrey Coliseum.

Varnado totaled 12 points, collected a season-high 15 rebounds and tied a season-high 8 blocks to lead MSU.

Three other Bulldogs scored in double-digits, including sophomore point guard Dee Bost (13), senior Barry Stewart (12) and junior Ravern Johnson (11). In his first action back from a two-game suspension, junior Kodi Augustus registered 9 points, 8 rebounds and a career-high 3 blocks.

No UTPA player managed to score in double digits. Junior Nick Weiermiller and senior Luis Valera each contributed 8.

While Mississippi State never trailed in the contest, it saw its 25-14 lead with 10 minutes remaining in the first half shrink to just two points with three left before the break. MSU finished on a 9-2 run, capped by a trey from sophomore Romero Osby to lead at halftime, 42-33.

The Bulldogs tightened the defense in the second half, allowing just 17 points and scoring 33 of their own. State finished shooting a season-high 52.6 percent from the floor and held the Broncs to just a 29.2 percent effort. MSU also out-rebounded its opponent 45-33, its third time to hold the rebounding advantage.

"The biggest thing with our team right now is that we don't have a whole lot of rhythm offensively yet," MSU coach Rick Stansbury said. "It's a different lineup every night, so it's like starting over. We have to get better with our chemistry and our rhythm. We had too many unforced turnovers tonight."

Mississippi State now heads away from Humphrey Coliseum for the first time this season to compete in the South Padre Island Invitational, beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday against Richmond.