Arnett Moultrie scored 28 points and added 13 rebounds as the Bulldogs defeated South Alabama, 80-65 at Humphrey Coliseum.

Moultrie, who is averaging 16.3 points and 12.6 rebounds through three games, shot 9-of-16 from the field and had a big impact in the second half as South Alabama (0-1) tried to get the deficit into single digits.

Freddie Goldstein’s 3-pointer with 11:12 left made it 61-50, but Moultrie followed with a three-point play, a steal and another three-point play to make it a 67-50 game. Later, South Alabama's Augustine Rubit hit a jumper to make it 71-61, but the Jaguars couldn’t get any closer thanks to Moultrie.

Mississippi State (2-1) bounced back from a 68-58 loss to Akron Wednesday in the 2K Sports Classic in which the Zips held the Bulldogs to 34 percent shooting, forced 19 turnovers and blocked eight shots.

South Alabama had no such luck Saturday, though Sun Belt preseason player of the year Rubit did lead the Jaguars with 16 points and nine rebounds. Mychal Ammons added 15 points and nine rebounds for South Alabama.