STARKVILLE — The game was still well in control at the time, by more ways than the score, but Mississippi State still wasn’t too fond of Hartford scoring six of the first half’s final nine points.
So the No. 18 Bulldogs went on a 13-4 run to start the second half.
That fast start was little more than a continuation of the up-tempo offense it eventually established in the first half, but it was exactly what MSU needed to beat Hartford 77-59 Sunday.
Senior forward Aric Holman was a big part of it, bringing down two dunks in those 13 points. One of them brought some flair, as it was assisted off-the-glass by Lamar Peters.
“We were relaxed in the locker room, trying to keep the game intensity in the first half,” Holman said. “I felt like I had to step up myself with that intensity, so that’s why I came out pretty aggressive.”
MSU (2-0) needed that aggression to regain complete control of the game, but also needed it to show it works against all comers. MSU coach Ben lowland remarked at the different tasks posed by its season-opening opponent, Austin Peay, and Hartford: Austin Peay plays a very aggressive defense, one that denies as often as possible, while Hartford sits backs and goes through spells where it allows jump shots.
Howland thought it was a significant step, especially for the younger players, to face both styles in a span of three days and pass with flying colors.
Freshmen debuts
Columbus native Robert Woodard and fellow freshmen forward Reggie Perry made their MSU debuts over the weekend, playing a combined 68 minutes in the wins over Austin Peay and Hartford.
Woodard scored 10 points over the two games, adding seven rebounds, two assists and a steal. Perry scored 12 points with five rebounds, a block and a steal.
Stewart will redshirt
Howland said after Friday’s 95-67 win over Austin Peay that he met with freshman guard D.J. Stewart and the two determined that he will redshirt.
“Any other team I’ve had to this point, he’d be playing a major role,” Howland said. “We have those four experienced guards coming back. I thought it was smart looking at the long-term view to redshirt. Now, if someone goes down here in the next month, then there’s always the chance that he would come back off it. Knock on wood, we’re hoping that doesn’t happen.”
Stewart — the 6-foot-6, 200-pound Grace product — was rated as the second-best prospect in the state according to 247 Sports.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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