HATTIESBURG, Mississippi (Ticker) -- LaToya Thomas had 30 points and 17 rebounds and Jennifer Fambrough added 11 and 11 as No. 18 Mississippi State cruised to its third straight win, a 79-53 triumph over Southern Mississippi.

Thomas connected on 12-of-19 shots as Mississippi State (7-2) won for the seventh time in eight games since a season-opening 88-82 loss at Memphis. The Lady Bulldogs shot just 39 percent (13-of-33) in the first half, but held a 33-17 lead.

Angela Johnson had 14 points and seven assists for Southern Mississippi (5-4), which only made 4-of-27 shots in the first half. Johnson was 3-of-14 from the field and committed eight of the team's 16 turnovers.

Cynthia Hall contributed 10 points for Mississippi State, which shot 52 percent (12-of-23) after halftime.