STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) Tolu Smith scored 24 points, his second-highest total of the season, and Mississippi State cruised to an 82-52 win over Mississippi Valley State on Saturday.

Mississippi State goes to 8-0 to start the season, making Chris Jans one of just three coaches to remain unbeaten in their first season.

Alvin Stredic scored on a layup more than eight minutes into the game to pull Mississippi Valley State (1-9) within three, 17-14, but the Bulldogs answered with a 9-2 run, then pulled away to take a 38-22 lead at intermission.