STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP)—Jarvis Varnado scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Mississippi State to a 79-60 victory over South Alabama on Saturday night.
Varnado also had six blocks to extend his season total to a nation-leading 62.
Ravern Johnson added 12 points for the Bulldogs (7-3), while Phil Turner chipped in 10 points and four assists.
The Jaguars (6-4) outrebounded the Bulldogs 39-33, but shot 35.6 percent from the field (21 of 59). South Alabama had one assist total and zero fast break points.
Brandon Davis led the Jaguars with 19 points, while Domonic Tilford added 11 points.
The Bulldogs opened the game on a 5-0 run and claimed a 32-29 halftime lead. South Alabama led briefly at the beginning of the second half, before a 17-2 run put the Bulldogs up for good. The Bulldogs hit 10 of their first 14 shots in the second half.
