SAN DIEGO (AP) -Jarvis Varnado scored a season-high 23 points and tied his career-best 17 rebounds as Mississippi State won its ninth straight with a 77-68 victory over San Diego on Thursday.

Mississippi State (12-2) used its superior inside game to take control of the game late in the first half and maintained its lead throughout the game. The Bulldogs made 13 of 16 free throws in the final 3:22 to offset San Diego's three 3-point baskets in the last 1:42.

Advertisement

Brandon Johnson scored a career-high 31 points for San Diego (6-9), which lost for the eighth time in 10 games. Johnson made 12 of 15 free throws.

Varnado made 8 of 9 shots from in the paint, including three dunks, and all seven free-throw tries. The 6-foot-9 forward had his seventh double-double of the season. Kodi Augustus provided the outside threat, making 6 of 8 shots, including three 3-pointers.