ATLANTA - For anyone with concerns regarding whether or not Mississippi State would bounce back following a tough couple of games last week, put your fears to rest. There's still plenty of bite in these Bulldogs.

That much was totally evident as MSU rolled to a dominant, 106-76 win over a talented Tulane team at the Holiday Hoopsgiving event at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Saturday.

The State offense shined, the Dawg defense delivered and MSU once again looked like the team that won its first six games of the season and was previously ranked at No. 21 in the polls.

From the time Shakeel Moore sank a 3-pointer 30 seconds into the action on, this one was all Dawgs.

"Certainly, we talked a lot about getting off to a good start and playing well," State head coach Chris Jans said. "Our theme was, 'Let's compete at everything all the time...Not when it's easy or when you're fresh. Not just when you're making shots but all the time.'"

Said Moore: "Our goal was to come into this game and impose our will."

That's precisely what State did all game long on both ends of the floor. The Bulldogs sprinted out to an early 10-0 lead. Though Tulane sank a pair of free throws to close the gap to eight, a Cameron Matthews layup gave MSU a 12-2 advantage just three minutes into the action and State led by double figures the rest of the way.

It was as though State unleashed all the frustrations of the last couple weeks over a 40-minute stretch of action. MSU shot nearly 68 percent as a team in the first half and 58.6 percent for the game, once leading by as many as 41 points. Much of the offensive success came from beyond the arc, where the Maroon and White made 13 of 28 shots.

On the defensive side, State limited Tulane to just 5 of 24 shooting from three-point range and outrebounded the Green Wave by 16 on the way to the much-needed victory.

"This was a big game for us," Jans said. "We're not going to hide behind it. It was obvious. We'd lost two in a row and were playing a team that had some good numbers...You hope you're going to respond, but you really don't know [until the game]. I loved our team's response. I loved the togetherness they showed, and they played the right way."

State's unity and team-first attitude was perhaps best displayed through another standout showing by sensational freshman Josh Hubbard. The youngster scored a team-high 22 points, once again providing a massive spark from the bench. It's something Hubbard is finding pride in doing.

"I accept any role that Coach Jans gives me," Hubbard said. "I just want to help the team however I can. We all have roles on this team, and to be a great team, we all have to accept it and play our role. Once we all do that, we can be an unbelievable team."

Fifteen of Hubbard's points came courtesy of long-range shots. He connected on five treys in the game's first 20 minutes to help State pull away.

"It's just a confidence thing," Hubbard said of his makes. "When I was young, I built a lot of confidence in my shot and just have the same rhythm every time I shoot it. When I get the chance when I'm open, I let it ride."

The right mentality. All kinds of talent. Hubbard is truly something else.

"He's beyond his years," Moore said of Hubbard. "He's well beyond his years. It's amazing to see."

But make no mistake, on this day, the Dawgs got a total-team effort. Matthews and Jimmy Bell Jr. both scored 14 points. Moore and D.J. Jeffries had 11 apiece. KeShawn Murphy grabbed 10 boards and added seven points of his own.

Three Bulldogs had six or more assists. D.J. Jeffries led the way with seven, while Dashawn Davis and Matthews each had six. In all, State had 31 total assists on its 41 made shots, illustrating that togetherness that Jans loves to see.

"That's when most teams are at their best," Jans said of seeing his players create opportunities for others. "We're certainly no different."

It was truly a rejuvenating win for the Bulldogs and one they'll look to build on in the days ahead. That task starts on Wednesday when MSU returns to action with a home game against Murray State. Tip time at Humphrey Coliseum is set for 6:30 p.m.