Mississippi State Women’s Basketball defeats Missouri 90-75
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STARKVILLE, Miss – The Mississippi State Bulldogs end their five-game losing skid with an impressive win over Missouri. The first half looked like much of the same for MSU as the defense struggled, and the offense was inconsistent.
However, a strong second half led the way for MSU including Jerkaila Jordan scoring 18 third-quarter points. MSU went 10-19 from the three-point line which helped them get the lead in the third quarter, and expand it in the fourth quarter.
Darrione Rogers scored 22 points off the bench, and Mjracle Sheppard played great defense per usual and made every effort play. Lauren Park-Lane also scored 18 points.
Now MSU awaits to see who they will play in the SEC tournament starting next week.
Here is how it happened
1st Quarter
10:00 MSU wins the tip and we are underway for the regular season finale.
7:49 Bulldogs are off to a hot start as both Power and Barnum hit threes. However, their defensive woes continue. Tigers lead 9-6.
5:57 The Bulldogs are shooting well, but too many defensive lapses. Purcell is irate and is in the ref's ears. The score is tied at 13.
4:43 It looks like it will a high-scoring game in Starkville as neither team can get a stop. The Tigers are just getting wide-open looks. MSU is a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arc, and that is keeping them in this game. MSU trails 20-17.
2:05 The Bulldogs have sharpened up on defense a bit after the media timeout, but the Bulldogs have gone cold on offense. Sheppards four three-throws is about the only scoring for MSU right now. MSU trails 23-20.
0:00 The Bulldogs have struggled on defense, but the intensity is definitely high for MSU. The Tigers have scored 16 points in the paint, and the Bulldogs have scored none. The guard play has been good, but they need to find some looks for Carter and Barnum. MSU trails 25-23 after one.
2nd Quarter
5:57 There is definitely some intensity for MSU as they force a couple of turnovers. The crowd is trying to will them on, but the Tigers are just getting to the rim with ease. However, the Bulldogs are responding well. The score is tied at 31.
4:11 The Tigers cannot miss, and even their contested shots are falling. MSU is playing hard, which makes the defensive struggles even more concerning. MSU trails 36-33.
2:33 A much different second quarter as the scoring pace has slowed down. Rogers hits a three to give MSU the lead, and the defense chants begin. Sheppard plays extremely hard, but she fouls a Tiger, who makes both free throws. The score is tied at 38.
0:00 MSU is fighting hard in this game, and right when they grab the momentum the Tigers make a shot. Simply playing hard is not enough MSU can ill-afford to lose this game. The Bulldogs need to start the second half well. MSU trails 40-39 after the first half.
3rd Quarter
8:06 Both teams are trading buckets, and MSU is giving up another back-breaking pair of offensive rebounds that had led to four points. MSU trails 46-41.
6:28 Jordan finally scores and she is up to seven points, and the Bulldogs need her down the stretch. Carter is not being strong with the ball, and she is stripped which leads to two points for the Tigers. MSU trails 51-46.
5:00 Sheppard continues to make hustle plays for MSU, and she has six points. Jordan has gotten hot this half, and she now has nine third-quarter points. MSU trails 53-52.
2:52 Rogers gets the crowd to their feet with a deep three. The Bulldog defense is doing a nice job of defending the post and forcing turnovers. Jordan is on fire and now has 13 points this quarter. All the intensity is paying off now for MSU now as the Tigers look tired. MSU leads 59-53.
0:00 MSU has grabbed all the momentum, and they are playing as well as they have in weeks. This Humphrey Coliseum crowd is loving it. Jordan is perhaps playing the best quarter of her career, and the Bulldog defense has not allowed a Tiger bucket in over two minutes, and they are on a 17-2 run. MSU leads 67-55.
4th Quarter
7:50 MSU is slowing the pace as they should given their lead. However, Missouri is still fighting hard, and has made a couple of tough baskets. MSU leads 67-59.
5:30 Missouri is hanging around in this game, but the Bulldogs are doing a decent job responding. Park-Lane has played well tonight, and she has 15 points. MSU leads 74-64.
3:53 Carter makes a nice move in the post, and it leads to an MSU bucket. The Tigers are playing hard, and will not go down without a fight. MSU leads 78-68.
1:58 The Bulldogs are clicking on all cylinders right now as Park-Lane makes a nice pass to a cutting Rogers, who scores. The Tigers have not responded well to a slower pace by the Bulldogs. MSU leads 82-70.
0:00 Mississippi State gets a much-needed win to end a five-game losing skid. The Bulldogs played much better in the second half and they win 90-75.
| Missouri Starting Five | Mississippi State Five |
|---|---|
Grace Slaughter | Lauren Park-Lane |
Mama Dembele | Jerkaila Jordan |
Ashton Judd | Debreasha Powe |
Hayley Frank | Erynn Barnum |
Hannah Linthacum | Jessika Carter |
What: Mississippi State Bulldogs (20-10) (7-8) versus Missouri Tigers (11-17) (2-13)
When: Sunday 2 p.m. CT.
Where: Humphrey Coliseum, Starkville, Mississippi.
TV: SEC Network+
Series: MSU holds a 10-5 advantage in this series. The first meeting was on February 10th, 2023.
Last Meeting: MSU lost the previous matchup 75-62. The Bulldogs never recovered from the Tigers' 22-12 second quarter. Missouri also had a pair of 20-point scorers in Hayley Frank and Lauren Hansen.
Last time out, Tigers: Missouri lost their previous matchup to Vanderbilt 68-61 on Senior night.
Last time out, Bulldogs: Mississippi State lost its fifth straight game, and the latest came on the road at Auburn. This game was an all-around bad game for MSU, and a slow start plus a poor finish led to an embarrassing 77-60 loss.
