No. 5 Mississippi State beats Alabama State 90-47 (Dec 20, 2016)

STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) Mississippi State earned a lopsided non-conference win in the team's return to its home court.

The fifth-ranked Bulldogs easily handled Alabama State 90-47 on Tuesday night, largely thanks to a 28-point performance by junior guard Victoria Vivians.

Even so, Mississippi State head coach Vic Schaefer was hard to please.

''I just didn't think we played very good,'' Schaefer said. ''I just thought we were lethargic and I take full responsibility.''

Vivians eclipsed 1,300 career points and the 28 points were a season high. She shot 9 of 20 from the field, including four 3-pointers, and added five rebounds and four assists.

Freshman forward Ameshya Williams also scored in double figures with a career-high 12 points and added six rebounds.

Mississippi State (13-0) had a 40-30 rebounding advantage over the Hornets (1-8) and shot 28 of 40 (70 percent) on free throws.

The Bulldogs were lethargic early in the game. They led just 15-14 after the first quarter, but rallied to take a 38-22 halftime lead.

Alabama State continued to fight in the first half before Mississippi State's size and talent eventually proved to be too much.

''We knew coming into this game that it was going to be a tough battle for us,'' Alabama State coach Freda Freeman-Jackson said. ''I thought my young ladies fought, they played hard and that's the only thing I could ask from them.''

Vivians hit three consecutive 3-pointers late in the third quarter to help the Bulldogs take a 63-39 lead after three quarters.

''I was just hot, just feeling it at the time,'' Vivians said. ''If I'm feeling it and I'm in a groove, I'm going to shoot the ball.''

The Bulldogs cruised from that point, outscoring Alabama State 27-8 in the final period for the 43-point victory.

The Bulldogs forced 29 Alabama State turnovers and scored 40 points off of them.

Alabama State was led by Daniele Ewert, who scored 13 points. Britney Wright scored 12 points and Damya Toney added 11.

BIG PICTURE

Mississippi State: Already holding the highest ranking in school history, Mississippi State tied the second-best start in school history with their 13-0 record. The Bulldogs are chasing the 18-0 set during the 2014-15 season.

Alabama State: The Hornets continued their tough start, falling to 1-8 on the year. The difficult portion of their schedule is nearly complete after navigating through games against North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Southern Miss and Mississippi State.

INJURIES

Senior guard Dominique Dillingham missed a sixth straight game because of a knee surgery she had three weeks ago. Schaefer is hoping to have her return soon, but said on Tuesday that he had no timetable for her return.

UP NEXT

Mississippi State finishes non-conference play on Dec. 28 against Northwestern State. They end a three-game home stand with LSU on New Year's Day.

Alabama State travels to Baton Rouge on Dec. 28 to take on their second-straight SEC foe in LSU.