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Jerkaila Jordan's career night leads MSU past Alcorn State

IMG_4594by:Tanner Marlar•11/06/23•

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JORDAN
Mississippi State guard JerKaila Jordan (2) takes a shot at the basket while guarded by forward Dre'una Edwards (44) in the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament game in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, March 3, 2022. ( © Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK )

Jerkaila Jordan finished with 26 points, 13 boards and 6 steals as Mississippi State women’s hoops cruised past Alcorn State 77-42 in the Bulldogs’ home opener. Zy’Niya White led the way for Alcorn with 11.

Entering the game, Jordan had a career high of 29 points, 12 rebounds and seven takeaways. She was on pace to break all three of those personal records halfway through the second quarter. Second year head coach Sam Purcell had high praise for the senior New Orleans native postgame.

“Well, first off, I’d like to formally recognize her this year as Ms. November,” said Purcell, referencing his comments late last season in which he called Jordan ‘Ms. February.’ “Our relationship, obviously, is a lot better here because I’ve had time with her and I’ve really challenged her, and boy, she came out the gate for 26.”

State went with a pair of transfers in Lauren Park-Lane (Seton Hall) and Erynn Bynum (Arkansas) to complete the starting five, and both delivered in their new-found roles. Park-Lane finished with four points and seven assists while Barnum notched a double-double of her own with 13 points and 11 boards.

The last time Barnum was in Humphrey Coliseum, she was in red, playing for the Hogs. Now, though, she’s plenty happy to be in maroon and white.

“(My first game) was lovely,” said Barnum. “I feel like I fit right in. Playing with some of the best people in the conference was nice. The fans are so nice. I loved it, I can’t complain.”

Preseason All-SEC forward Jessika Carter got in on the action as well and notched a double-double of her own with 10 points and 13 rebounds. The Bulldog trio’s efforts helped out en route to 70 total rebounds for the team, just nine shy of a program record. Purcell spoke about the team’s rebounding efforts after the game.

“It’s exciting, because we want to play fast,” said Purcell. “…It’s awesome. When you look at Ramani Parker’s wingspan, like, oh my gosh, I had an “ooooweeee” moment for me. She’s just way up there. (Nyayongah Gony), my freshman, oh my gosh, her arm span is so long, and then obviously you’ve got Jessika Carter, just an absolute beast.”

The win marked the team’s 20th straight win in its home opener. The Bulldogs’ largest lead of the game ballooned up to 40 at one point in the fourth quarter. Park-Lane’s seven assists were good enough to push her past 700 on her career, which puts her fifth all-time among active players. The team looked to get out in transition much more with Park-Lane and Jordan on the floor, and that’s no accident.

Purcell mentioned that with this team, a large part of the offense is predicated on getting easy looks in transition. Therefore, when Purcell looked down at the shot chart and saw that the team only shot 36.5%, he knew he had something to work on before the team’s next game on November 10 against Southeastern Louisiana.

That game is scheduled to tip off at Humphrey Coliseum at 6:30 p.m. and will be aired on SEC+.

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