Ravern Johnson scored a game-high 25 points and host Mississippi State withstood Detroit’s late comeback effort Monday to win 82-76.

Riley Benock scored a career-high 13 points, Kodi Augustus added 10 and Johnson was 10-of-16 from the field for Mississippi State (3-0), which was picked to win the SEC’s West division. Ray McCallum and Jason Calliste each scored 19 to lead Detroit from the Horizon League. Chase Simon added 15 and Nick Minnerath had 12 for the Titans (1-3), who trailed 76-67 with 3:48 remaining.

The Titans scored the next six points and came within three with 39 seconds left. Mississippi State made seven of eight free throws to secure the victory.

Mississippi State led 40-32 at halftime as the Bulldogs went the first 20 minutes without taking a free throw. Johnson had 11 points at the half, and Benock’s layup with 11:21 remaining in the half gave Mississippi State a one-point lead.

Playing without guard Dee Bost and forward Renardo Sidney, sitting out most of the nonconference schedule because of NCAA suspensions, Mississippi State has opened its season-opening nine game homestand with three close wins, including last Friday’s 76-74 win over Appalachian State.

Picked to finish second behind Butler in the Horizon League this season, Detroit’s Eli Holman had five points against the Bulldogs after scoring 21 in a win over Indiana Tech last Friday.