It wasn’t always pretty but Mississippi State opened the season Wednesday with an 84-62 win over North Alabama at Humphrey Coliseum. After a sloppy first half, the Bulldogs used a 15-0 run early in the second half to break things open and roll past the Lions.

Josh Hubbard scored 27 points, Mississippi State rallied from an early second-half deficit, and the Bulldogs defeated North Alabama 86-62 in a season opener.

Saw action in his 89th career game and made his 62nd career start between his stops at Illinois, Georgetown and State. Appeared in his 113th career game between Chipola College, Samford, Kansas State and Mississippi State. Started his 68th consecutive game between Wichita State and Mississippi State over the last three seasons.

Josh Hubbard scored a game-high 27 points and dished out eight assists as Mississippi State pulled away from a feisty North Alabama 86-62 in the season opener for both teams on Monday in Starkville, Miss.

The Mississippi State Bulldogs host the North Alabama Lions for the season opener. Wednesday's meeting is the first this season for the squads.

Mississippi State Coach Chris Jans post-game as Bulldogs defeat North Alabama 86-62