Bethune-Cookman Wildcats @ Mississippi State Bulldogs
Mississippi State ups win streak to five with 85-62 victory over Bethune-Cookman
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- — Tolu Smith III totaled 16 points and nine rebounds off the bench to power Mississippi State to an 85-62 victory over Bethune-Cookman on Sunday.
Smith sank all five of his shots and 6 of 7 free throws for the Bulldogs (11-2), who have won five in a row — all at home — to close out nonconference play. Dashawn Davis made 5 of 8 shots with two 3-pointers, scoring 12. Freshman reserve Josh Hubbard made three 3-pointers and scored 11, adding three steals. Shakeel Moore scored 10.
Smith sank four shots and 4 of 5 free throws, scoring 12 to guide Mississippi State to a 41-22 lead at halftime. The Bulldogs shot 58.3% from the floor with seven 3-pointers in building the 19-point lead. The Wildcats (5-8) shot 32.3%, hit 1 of 8 from distance and 1 of 4 at the foul line before the intermission.
Jakobi Heady had 16 points and six rebounds to pace Bethune-Cookman. Dhashon Dyson scored 14 but missed all six of his 3-point attempts. Derrick Carter-Hollinger Jr. scored 12.
The Bulldogs shot 53% overall and made 12 of 27 from beyond the arc (44.4%). They also went 19 of 25 from the line. The Wildcats shot 42.2%, made 4 of 16 from distance and 4 of 10 from the foul line.
Mississippi State and Bethune-Cookman played once before — a 67-51 victory by the Bulldogs during the 2009-10 season.
Mississippi State travels to play South Carolina in a Southeastern Conference opener on Saturday. Bethune-Cookman will entertain Florida A&M in a Southwestern Athletic Conference opener on Saturday.
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Game Information
Starkville, MS

Referee:Wil Howard
Referee:Olandis Poole
Referee:Shaun Seales

2025-26 Standings
| Southwestern Athletic ConferenceSouthwestern Athletic Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethune-Cookman | 14-4 | - | 17-15 |
| Southern | 11-7 | 3 | 17-17 |
| Florida A&M | 11-7 | 3 | 15-16 |
| Alabama A&M | 10-8 | 4 | 18-15 |
| Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 10-8 | 4 | 13-19 |
| Texas Southern | 10-8 | 4 | 12-18 |
| Jackson State | 10-8 | 4 | 12-21 |
| Prairie View A&M | 9-9 | 5 | 19-18 |
| Grambling | 7-11 | 7 | 14-19 |
| Alabama State | 7-11 | 7 | 10-22 |
| Alcorn State | 7-11 | 7 | 9-23 |
| Mississippi Valley State | 2-16 | 12 | 3-30 |
| Southeastern ConferenceSoutheastern Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 16-2 | - | 27-8 |
| Arkansas | 13-5 | 3 | 28-9 |
| Alabama | 13-5 | 3 | 25-10 |
| Vanderbilt | 11-7 | 5 | 27-9 |
| Tennessee | 11-7 | 5 | 25-12 |
| Texas A&M | 11-7 | 5 | 22-12 |
| Georgia | 10-8 | 6 | 22-11 |
| Kentucky | 10-8 | 6 | 22-14 |
| Missouri | 10-8 | 6 | 20-13 |
| Texas | 9-9 | 7 | 21-15 |
| Auburn | 7-11 | 9 | 22-16 |
| Oklahoma | 7-11 | 9 | 21-16 |
| Mississippi State | 5-13 | 11 | 13-19 |
| Ole Miss | 4-14 | 12 | 15-20 |
| South Carolina | 4-14 | 12 | 13-19 |
| LSU | 3-15 | 13 | 15-17 |
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