STARKVILLE — Things just weren’t clicking offensively for Mississippi State in the opening half Tuesday night.
Mid-range jumpers from the top of the key continued to clang off the rim. Second chances were plentiful, but often resulted in shots that barely grazed the rim. Factor in seven missed free throws and a measly 35.5 shooting percentage and the fact MSU led in-state opponent Jackson State by four points at halftime could be considered a minor miracle.
Then, everything changed. The lid came off the basket the same time MSU (3-2) cranked up its play on the defensive end of the floor. Iverson Molinar and Tolu Smith continued to look like pieces a young Bulldogs team could build around. A 16-0 run in the first five minutes of the second half erased any hope from the Jackson-based visitor of leaving Humphrey Coliseum with a major upset in its season opener. First half shooting woes were rectified by turning in a 55-percent second half shooting clip bolstered by converting eight 3-pointers.
All was well that ended well in the Bulldogs’ 82-59 rout over the Tigers (0-1).
“We came out (in in the second half) really defensive minded,” MSU coach Ben Howland said. “We did a great job offensively sharing the ball and getting it inside right away.”
Molinar, playing in his second game of the season after missing the first three contests, seemed to be the only Bulldog immune to first half shooting woes. The sophomore point guard made his first four shots of the night and scored 13 of his 21 points entering the break. Molinar’s scoring output tied a single-game career high and he was 5-of-7 beyond the arc.
“Someone asked me the other day, where has he improved the most? Well, his shot,” Howland said. “He has a perfect rotation and it’s money in the bank. Every time he shoots and he’s open, I’m thinking it’s going in … Usually players improve the most between their freshman and sophomore year, but he’s improved more than any other player I’ve coached since Russell Westbrook between 2007 and 2008. That’s how much better he is in every facet of the game from a year ago.”
Finishing in double figures for the fifth straight contest was Tolu Smith, who chipped in 19 points and 12 rebounds, giving him his second double-double with the Bulldogs. D.J. Stewart (11 points) and Javian Davis (11) were the other MSU players that finished with double-digit point totals.
“I feel like we have the best frontcourt in the SEC,” Smith said. “With that, it just takes time to work and continue to be unselfish with the ball as we were tonight.”
The Bulldogs doubled Jackson State’s rebounding effort, putting up a 50-25 advantage on the boards and holding a 17-0 second-chance point advantage.
“We really did a great job on the glass and grabbing 20 offensive boards,” Howland said. “And our defense forced 18 turnovers, overall I was really pleased with the second half.”
Tristan Jarrett was the leading scorer for Jackson State with 17 points. It may be a long season for the Tigers, as KenPom has JSU listed as the 306th-ranked team in Division I (out of 357 teams).
MSU is back in action against Dayton at 11 a.m. Saturday in a neutral site matchup in Atlanta.
DAWG NOTES: In addition to releasing game times for its Southeastern Conference slate Tuesday, MSU made a schedule tweak. Originally scheduled to play Utah State in a neutral site contest on Dec. 21, the Bulldogs will instead host Mississippi Valley State due to a scheduling conflict from the Mountain West, a MSU spokesperson told The Dispatch Tuesday.
Hodge is the former sports editor for The Dispatch.
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