NEWARK, N.J. – While the world awaits the arrival of Santa Claus, Mississippi State’s Jimmy Bell Jr. went ahead and gave the Bulldogs an early present Saturday in the Gotham Classic.
The transfer center had his best game in Maroon and White yet as he led the way to State’s 70-60 victory over Rutgers at the Prudential Center.
“It was an emphasis [to get the ball to Bell] for a majority of the day,” State head coach Chris Jans said. “I thought early, we were missing him. He was open, but for whatever reason, we had a hard time making the passes…But in the second half, [that changed]. He was terrific. He was our anchor today.”
Bell notched his third double-double of the season racking up 17 points and pulling down 18 rebounds. He also blocked three shots and had an assist in what was a complete performance by the veteran big man.
“He probably could’ve done even more,” Jans said. “He missed a couple of bunnies that he usually doesn’t, but he was really, really good.”
Saturday’s showing was just the latest example of the value Bell has brought to this year’s State squad. While the Bulldogs await the return of All-SEC center Tolu Smith III from injury, Bell has done his part to make sure neither Smith nor the Dawgs have to be in any rush.
Through 12 games this season, Bell is nearly averaging a double-double with 9.6 points and 9.4 boards per game. His play has been one of the most critically important pieces to the Bulldogs’ 10-2 start.
Of course, no victory is a one-man show. Bell had plenty of help as the Dawgs took down the Scarlet Knights.
Cameron Matthews delivered a double-double of his own with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Dashawn Davis scored 13, dished out seven assists and had four steals. Shakeel Moore scored 10 and grabbed five rebounds of his own.
All hands were needed as well in what was a nip-and-tuck affair for much of the day. Rutgers led by as many as five points midway through the first half and the two teams were never separated by more than six points until deep into the second half. Fittingly, it was Bell who put State on the fast track to the triumph.
Rutgers held a slight edge for much of the early portion of the contest. With 10:07 remaining in the opening period, the Scarlet Knights went up 20-15 following a pair of Mawot Mag free throws. That’s when a 10-0 State run fueled by Bell…
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