Garrison Brooks scored 18 points in his Mississippi State debut as the Bulldogs defeated North Alabama 75-49 in the season opener for both teams Wednesday night in Starkville, Miss.
Brooks, a transfer from North Carolina, helped the Bulldogs build a 24-point first-half lead and turn back comeback attempts by the Lions. Iverson Molinar added 13 points and Cam Carter had 11.
Mississippi State shot 26 free throws compared to just four for North Alabama, but had just a 12-point edge because it missed 11.
Jamari Blackmon was the only double-figure scorer for North Alabama, finishing with 14 points.
C.J. Brim started the second-half scoring with a jumper and assisted on Isaac Chatman’s layup as North Alabama climbed within 46-39.
Carter had four points during an 8-0 run that gave Mississippi State a 54-39 lead midway through the second half.
Detalian Brown made a 3-pointer to stop the run and the Lions got within 55-45.
But the Bulldogs scored the next 15 points to regain command as North Alabama made just one more field goal.
Blackmon made a 3-pointer for the first points of the game, but Brooks made two baskets and Molinar had a basket and a 3-pointer to conclude a 17-0 run by the Bulldogs.
The run ended when Blackmon made a layup and the Lions got within 19-8 when Payton Youngblood made a 3-pointer.
Carter and Brooks each had five points during a 16-3 run that increased Mississippi State’s lead to 35-11.
Blackmon’s jumper stopped the run and Chatman followed with seven straight points for North Alabama.
Javian Davis made a free throw to stop that run, but Brown answered with a 3-pointer and Blackmon added a 3-pointer that cut the Bulldogs’ lead to 37-26 at halftime.
Mississippi State did not make a field goal during the final 6:25 of the half and its only points during that stretch came when Davis made two of eight free throws.
–Field Level Media
