Dee Bost scored 22 points, and freshman Rodney Hood added 19 points with 10 rebounds as No. 16 Mississippi State shook off stubborn Florida Atlantic for a 75-68 home victory.

The Bulldogs (10-1), who extended their winning streak to nine, led by 13 late in the first half and by 10 at halftime. The Owls (4-6), who upset Mississippi State 61-59 in Starkville last season, pulled within 69-67 on Raymond Taylor’s 3-pointer with 1:22 remaining.

Bost pushed the Bulldogs’ margin to 71-67 on a basket with 46 seconds left to help seal it. Jalen Steele scored 12 points with seven rebounds, and Renardo Sidney added 10 points and three blocked shots for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs played without Arnett Moultrie, who missed the game with knee tendinitis. Moultrie averages 17.1 points and leads the SEC with 11.3 rebounds. Wendell Lewis chipped in eight points with six rebounds and three blocked shots for Mississippi State.

The undermanned Bulldogs also played without Brian Bryant, who served the third game of a three-game suspension for violation of athletic department rules. Freshman guard Shaun Smith played for first time this season after missing time with a hip injury.

Taylor led Florida Atlantic with 20 points, hitting four 3-pointers. The Owls shot just 7-for-18 from the free throw line.