Mississippi St. 97, New Orleans 46

Updated: Jan 3, 2013, 09:55 pm

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Colin Borchert had 17 points and eight rebounds to lead Mississippi State to a 97-47 win over New Orleans on Thursday night in nonconference action.

Mississippi State (5-7) shot 56.5 percent from the field (35 of 62) and hit a season-high 10 3-pointers.

New Orleans (3-9) shot only 33.3 percent from the field (17 of 51) and turned the ball over 23 times.

Mississippi State scored 33 points off those turnovers.

The Bulldogs opened the game on a 19-4 run and led 43-16 at the half. Mississippi State appeared sluggish coming out of the break, but a 17-0 streak midway through the half sealed the victory.

Borchert was 8 of 10 from the field and also had three blocked shots and five steals for Mississippi State.

Jalen Steele and Fred Thomas scored 16 points each for the Bulldogs. Steele, in his second game back from a wrist injury, finished 5 of 12 from the field and hit 4 of 6 3-pointers.

Thomas was 6 of 13 from the field with two blocks and one steal.

Roquez Johnson finished with 14 points on 4-of-8 shooting. Gavin Ware added 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting and had eight rebounds and two blocked shots.

Kevin Hill and Lovell Cook scored seven points each to lead New Orleans.