STARKVILLE, Miss. – Despite shooting nearly 60 percent from 3-point range (13-22) and over 54 percent from the floor (31-57 FG), the Wofford Terriers fell at No. 17 Mississippi State 98-87 on Wednesday night.

The Terriers shot a blistering 75 percent from 3-point range in the first half, going 9-for-12 from downtown, holding a nine-point advantage at the break (50-41). The 17^th-ranked Bulldogs showed their mettle in the second however, outscoring Wofford 57-37 while shooting over 65 percent from the floor en route to the victory.

"Their front line is a lot better than I thought," said Wofford head coach Mike Young. "I knew they were good, but those big guys, along with their guards, did a good job of putting their heads down and getting to the hoop in the second half and physically it was tough for us."

Three players reached double figures for Wofford, led by Fletcher Magee's 24 points on 7-of-13 shooting. Magee, who hit four 3-pointers in the game, moved into a tie for 14^th place all-time with Radford's Doug Day for NCAA Division I career threes (401).

Cameron Jackson, who has reached double-figures in every game this season, scored 20 for the third time this year, while Nathan Hoover totaled 15 points going 3-for-5 from 3-point range.

Wofford ends non-conference play 9-4 on the season, having picked up an early conference win over ETSU (Dec. 1). The Terriers will return to the court on December 29, traveling to Western Carolina for the first meeting this season between the two sides.

"They're a good team," Young said of Mississippi State. "But so is my bunch. Right now, everyone gets a break and gets to see their families for the holidays, but I'm looking forward to getting back into the gym with these guys as we go into SoCon play."

Jackson continued to be the do-it-all player for Wofford right from the tip, scoring a spinning layup to get the Terriers on the board, before drawing an offensive foul and coming up with a steal. Despite Jackson's efforts, the Bulldogs took control, jumping out to a 9-2 lead.

With Mississippi State leading 14-6 and looking to extend its lead, Nathan Hoover drilled a 3-pointer that would spark a 16-2 run for the Terriers. Moments after Hoover's 3-pointer, Magee hit his first three of the night to knot the game up at 14-14. Tray Hollowell, who hit three 3-pointers off the bench, knocked down a pair to give Wofford a 22-16 advantage.

The long ball continued to go down for Wofford, with Jackson breaking a 23-23 tie by hitting his fourth three of the season and just the fifth of his career to put the Terriers back ahead. Keve Aluma made his presence felt, grabbing an offensive rebound and converting a 3-point play as Wofford kept the lead over Mississippi State.

"The enthusiasm, the intensity, the not giving an inch, it felt a bit like an NCAA Tournament game," said Young.

After the Bulldogs pulled to within two (39-37), Jackson pump faked two defenders into the air and score, establishing some breathing room for the Terriers. Magee remained red hot down the stretch, scoring nine points on two 3-pointers, hitting the 400^th tray of his career to give Wofford a 50-41 lead at the half.

Mississippi State came out firing in the second, hitting three 3-pointers en route to a 12-2 run to open the period. With the score tied at 53-53, Magee hit his fourth tray of the contest to break the spell for Wofford. The Bulldogs responded with a bucket and a pair of free throws to take a 57-56 lead that it would not relinquish.

"I think coach Howland tightened the screws a bit in the second half," Young said. "I think we got their attention in the first, so they picked up the press a little bit as the game went on and they did a much better job in the second."

Hoover would hit another three and Jackson scored in traffic to make the score 76-71 as Wofford looked to draw closer, but Lamar Peters would hit back-to-back 3-pointers to put Mississippi State in front by 11.

"He reminds me of current NBA-player Isaiah Thomas," said Young of Peters. "He's just dynamic. He can lull you to sleep then rise up over you. He's an elite guard."

After Aric Holman hit what looked to be a dagger of a corner three (88-77), Wofford rallied to make one last-ditch effort, as Jackson scored in the paint and Murphy knocked down a tray, pulling the Terriers to within five. The Bulldogs were not deterred, icing the game at the free throw line to move to 10-1 on the year.