Mississippi State Scores Gotham Classic Win Over Rutgers, 70-60
Perhaps showing basketball shades of the masked man himself, Jimmy Bell Jr. had another heroic statistical showing on Saturday, as Mississippi State won the Gotham Classic with a 70-60 victory over Rutgers at the Prudential Center.
Bell notched his third double-double of the season, with 17 points and 18 rebounds, and also had blocked three shots and had an assist.
Through 12 games this season, the transfer center is averaging just shy of a double-double with 9.6 points and 9.4 boards per game, and he's done so without having injured All-SEC center Tolu Smith III available as the Bulldogs improved to 10-2.
"It was an emphasis [to get the ball to Bell] for a majority of the day," Mississippi State State head coach Chris Jans told reporters after the game. "I thought early, we were missing him. He was open, but for whatever reason, we had a hard time making the passes ... "
But during the second half he was the equivalent of a super hero to the Bulldogs.
"He was terrific," Jans added. "He was our anchor today.
"He probably could've done even more. He missed a couple of bunnies that he usually doesn't, but he was really, really good."
Senior forward Cameron Matthews also had a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Dashawn Davis had 13 points, seven assists and four steals. Shakeel Moore netted 10 points to go with five rebounds.
Mississippi State dominated Rutgers on the boards, outrebounding the Scarlet Knights 47-26. The Bulldogs also made 22 of 26 free throws in the final game before Christmas, as they won't play again until hosting Bethune-Cookman on New Year's Eve.
"We really need it," Jans said about the holiday break. "Our guys need it and deserve it. We're looking forward to it."
