STARKVILLE, Miss., Nov. 14 (UPI) -- Ryan Thompson's 3-pointer highlighted a 10-point, second-half run Friday and Rider pulled off a season-opening stunner over No. 19 Mississippi State 88-74.
The Bulldogs became the first ranked team to lose in the 2009-10 college basketball season.
Mississippi State took a two-point lead on a jump shot by Jarvis Varnado with 12:38 to play in the game, after which the Broncs scored 10 points in a row.
Thompson's 3-pointer gave Rider a 57-53 lead with 11:41 left and a layup by Jonathon Thompson boosted the advantage to 61-53 with 10:41 remaining.
Rider was led by 21 points from both Novar Gadson and Mike Ringgold.
Varnado led the Bulldogs with 22 points and 14 rebounds. Mississippi State won the Southeastern Conference Tournament last season before losing to Washington in the opening round of the NCAA tourney.
