STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — Josh Hubbard scored 25 points, King Grace added 23 off the bench, and Mississippi State defeated Tennessee Tech 106-88 on Monday night in both teams' season opener.

Hubbard was 7-of-11 from the field, 3-for-4 from deep, and 8-for-10 from the charity stripe, and Grace went 8-for-12 (4-for-6 from beyond the arc).

Tajuan Simpkins scored 15 and added five rebounds, five assists and two steals, and Thomas Bassong had 14 points and six rebounds. RJ Johnson chipped in with 12.

The Bulldogs held a 53-37 edge at the break, but Tennessee Tech did not go away easily with 51 second-half points.

The Golden Eagles were paced by Caleb Sanders's 28 points (9-for-13 shooting), five rebounds, and three assists. De'Ante Green scored 12, the only other player in double figures for Tech. Ty Owens had eight assists.

Tennessee Tech: hosts Blue Mountain Christian on Wednesday.

Mississippi State: hosts Northwestern State on Thursday.

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