Mississippi State 71, Prairie View A&M 56: Gavin Ware recorded 15 points and a career-high 15 rebounds as the host Bulldogs held off the Panthers in their season opener.

Eight of Ware's rebounds came on the offensive glass while freshman I.J. Ready added 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field for Mississippi State. Roquez Johnson added 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds.

Montrael Scott paced the Panthers with 15 points while Louis Munks added 13 despite shooting just 1-of-6 from beyond the arc. Tre Hagood was Prairie View A&M's only other player to reach double figures with 11 points.

The Bulldogs outrebounded the Panthers 50-23 en route to a 38-28 halftime lead. Prairie View A&M shot 3-for-22 from 3-point range as Mississippi State pulled away late to clinch the 15-point win.

Mississippi State guard Andre Applewhite logged nine points, nine rebounds and a game-high four assists in his return after suffering a season-ending ACL tear as a freshman. Trivante Bloodman chipped in seven points and six rebounds for the Bulldogs.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Ware's previous career high in rebounds was 13 against Central Arkansas on Dec. 22, 2012. ... Mississippi State has won 23 of its last 29 season openers. ... Bulldogs senior F Colin Borchert scored just seven points on 2-of-5 shooting after tallying 23 in their exhibition finale.