Josh Hubbard scored a game-high 27 points and dished out eight assists as Mississippi State pulled away from a feisty North Alabama 86-62 in the season opener for both teams on Monday in Starkville, Miss.

Ja'Borri McGhee scored 14 points off the bench, Quincy Ballard chipped in with eight points and grabbed seven rebounds and Shawn Jones Jr. added seven points and nine rebounds for the Bulldogs (1-0).

Canin Jefferson scored 16 points, Kevin de Kovachich tallied 14 points and Braylon Patton added 11 points for the Lions (0-1).

The Bulldogs used a 23-4 second-half run to rally from a nine-point deficit and break open a tight game. Dellquan Warren hit a 3-pointer to give MSU a 65-55 lead with 8:40 left in the game

North Alabama went on a 10-0 run early in the second half that was punctuat

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