Mallett scored MSU's first seven points as Cuonzo Martin's team led 20-7 five-and-a-half minutes into the game. After the Skyhawks (1-6) fought back to within 22-15 on a three-pointer by Cataurius Taylor at the 12:11 mark, MSU went on a 16-0 run and UT-Martin was never closer than 17 the rest of the way.

Mallett, who finished with a career high, and Leonard did all their scoring in the first half, including a combined 4-for-4 from three-point range in the opening stanza. In the second half, a variety of Bears got involved. The biggest lead was 32 points after Justin Fuehrmeyer's basket with 8:50 to go in the contest.

Nafis Ricks scored eight points in the second half and finished with 11 points overall and a career-best eight rebounds. Eleven MSU players finished in the scoring column, helping MSU to a 32-9 edge in bench scoring. Mallett grabbed nine rebounds, and Keith Pickens matched Ricks' eight boards.

Weems tied a JQH Arena record with 4 steals and extended his streak to nine straight games scoring in double figures, while Leonard reached a career milestone with his 200th three-pointer in making a trey for the 28th straight ball game.

UT-Martin was led by Reuben Clayton and Delrico Lane with 15 points apiece. Benzor Simmons, who came in averaging 22 points per game, finished with just seven points but had a game-high 12 rebounds.

Both teams shot less than 30 percent from the field in the second half but a 54-percent first half gave the Bears a final shooting percentage of 42 percent. MSU was 7-for-13 (.538) from beyond the arc and scored 24 points off of 23 UT-M turnovers.

MSU's 8-0 record extends its best start since 1996-97 when Steve Alford's squad started 10-0. MSU now embarks on a four-game road swing that starts Saturday at 7 against Arkansas State (3-4). The Bears return to JQH Arena on Jan. 1 to play Illinois State at 7.