GAME NOTES: Following a four-game road trip, the Mississippi State Bulldogs finally return to the friendly confines of the Humphrey Coliseum, as they play host to the Arkansas State Red Wolves in a non-conference matchup on Wednesday evening.

The road has not been kind to Rick Ray's Bulldogs, who after opening the season with five consecutive wins, have dropped three straight games, with losses to TCU (61-52) in Corpus Christi, at Tulane (59-54) and most recently, at Oregon State (59-49). However, Mississippi State is 4-0 at home this season

John Brady's Red Wolves will try to capitalize on MSU's recent plight, but they enter this game with their own issues. Arkansas State is just 2-4 on the year and has dropped two straight contests at Purdue (87-46) and at Toledo (73-65), dropping the Red Wolves to just 1-2 on the road this season.

Mississippi State has won nine of the 11 all-time meetings with Arkansas State. MSU has won five straight matchups with ASU, including the last one in 2005 (68-63).

The Red Wolves got off to a fast start and actually held a 14-point lead in the first half against Toledo, but the Rockets were able to close the gap before intermission with an 11-2 run. It was once again a run by the home team that effectively put the game out of reach. ASU tied things up at 65-65 late, but Toledo closed with an 8-0 run to send the Red Wolves to a loss. Four Red Wolves notched double figures in the loss, led by Cameron Golden's 18 points. Nouhoum Bocoum added 13 points, while Sean Gardner and Anthony Livingston chipped in with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Livingston is the go-to-guy for Arkansas State, as the 6-foot-8 sophomore leads the team in both scoring (17.3 ppg) and rebounding (6.9 rpg). He can score both inside and out, shooting a healthy .560 from the floor overall, including 53 percent from behind the arc (8-of-15). Golden is next in the scoring column for ASU at 14.8 ppg and tops the team in assists (4.0 apg). Gardner rounds out the top scoring threats on the roster with 12.0 ppg.

The Bulldogs trailed by double digits on several occasions at Oregon State, but rallied each time and actually pulled within four points of the Beavers late, before succumbing down the stretch and dropping a 10-point decision at Gill Coliseum. Fred Thomas was the only Bulldog to finish in double figures in the loss, netting a game-high 16 points. MSU shot a dismal .347 from the floor in the game, including a mere 6-of-23 from behind the arc (.261).

Mississippi State's offensive numbers have dipped with the last couple of games, but a strong defensive effort has been the norm in Starkville this season. The Bulldogs are allowing a meager 57.8 ppg on the year, holding foes under 40 percent shooting overall (.388) and under 30 percent from 3-point range (.288). In addition, the team holds a strong +8.0 rebounding margin. There aren't any prolific scoring option that have materialized yet for Mississippi State, although three players currently averaging double digits in scoring. Thomas leads the way with 13.0 ppg. Is is followed closely in the scoring column by Gavin Ware (12.5 ppg) and Roquez Johnson (11.0 ppg).

While the Bulldogs are reeling a bit with three straight losses, getting to return home against an Arkansas State team with its own problems certainly looks like an opportunity to turn things around.