Thomas had a game-high 17 points and four 3-pointers with Borchert adding 15 points and three treys for the Mississippi State (2-0), which closed out the win with a 10-3 scoring run. Craig Sword added 13 points with Trivante Bloodman and Roquez Johnson coming off the bench for 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Yonel Brown led Kennesaw State (1-4) with a career-high 15 points, including 10 in the first half, to go with his seven assists and three 3-pointers. Orlando Coleman added nine points and a team-high six rebounds for the Owls.

Playing their fifth game in six days, the Owls bolted out to an 18-14 lead, capped by a pair of Nigel Pruitt 3-pointers. Coming off a six-day layoff, the Bulldogs struggled early with their shooting, hitting only 40 percent from the floor, but going 7-for-14 from the foul line and riding Thomas' trio of 3-pointers for a 35-31 halftime lead.

The Owls pulled within 42-38 on Brown's 3-pointer 4:55 into the second half before the Bulldogs went on a 10-3 run to open the lead back to 52-41. The two teams traded baskets from there before Sword's 3-pointer with 8:14 left gave the Bulldogs a 61-47 lead, and Mississippi State pulled away for the win.

GAME NOTEBOOK: After collecting 51 rebounds in its opener against Prairie View A&M, Mississippi State totaled 33 rebounds to tie Kennesaw State. ... Bulldogs F Gavin Ware, who had 15 points and 15 rebounds in the season opener, was held to nine points and 10 boards. ... Kennesaw State committed 26 turnovers.