Cameron Thomas scored 25 points and Javonte Smart had 22 points and 11 assists as LSU defeated Mississippi State 94-80 in an SEC game Wednesday night in Starkville, Miss.

Darius Days returned from a one-game absence due to a sprained ankle to score 16 points and grab 11 rebounds and Trendon Watford scored 14 for the Tigers (12-6, 7-4), who made 62.3 percent of their field goal attempts.

Tolu Smith had 24 points and 11 rebounds, Derek Fountain, who had scored just 25 points all season, added 20, Iverson Molinar had 16 and Deivon Smith 12 for the Bulldogs (11-10, 5-7). D.J. Stewart, who scored an SEC career-high 29 in a victory against South Carolina on Saturday, scored just five.

Aundre Hyatt scored all seven of his points as LSU began the second half with a 19-11 run to take a 60-50 lead.

MSU pulled within 66-62 when Molinar made a 3-pointer midway through the half.

The Tigers responded with a 3-pointer by Smart and a basket by Eric Gaines.

The Bulldogs got within three, but Smart made a jumper and Thomas added a 3-pointer to give LSU a 78-70 lead.

Thomas made three free throws to increase the Tigers' lead to 85-73 with four minutes remaining.

Each MSU starter had points as the Bulldogs scored on their first six possessions to take a 13-9 lead.

Thomas made four of his first five shots and scored nine points before Smart's jumper gave LSU its first lead at 18-17.

Tolu Smith's layup gave MSU a 24-20 lead before Smart made two free throws and Josh LeBlanc Sr. had a steal and a layup to start an 11-0 run for the Tigers.

Fountain's basket ended the run and he added two 3-pointers that gave the Bulldogs a 34-33 lead.

Days and Smart each made a 3-pointer as LSU took a 41-39 halftime lead.

--Field Level Media