Bulldogs return home to blowout South Carolina State 95-47 in final non-conference game
Mississippi State women’s basketball has been taking part in a United States tour for the last month and Sunday brought the team back home for its non-conference finale.
After a successful road trip, MSU needed one final tune up prior to a monster SEC schedule. Behind a hot shooting performance, the homestanding Bulldogs got just what it needed in a 95-47 win over South Carolina State.
“What a trip for my young women for eight games on the road. We were just trying to find out a lot about us,” coach Sam Purcell said. “Shoutout to our fanbase. To come out of the tunnel and see such a great crowd on a Sunday, thank you. You had six people that scored over 10 points for the first time this year. Anyone can score on this team.”
MSU shows depth of roster in blowout win
Six players were in double figures for MSU (13-1) on Sunday afternoon led by Madina Okot’s 16 points. Okot played just 19 minutes in the game but was a perfect 7-of-7 from the field and had six rebounds.
Starting small forward Debreasha Powe was out for the second game in a row due to a minor foot injury that is not expected to keep her absent much longer. In her place was Chandler Prather and the Oklahoma State transfer had 14 points with eight rebounds in a team-high 30 minutes. Purcell also got good minutes from that spot out of Terren Ward who scored 12 points on 6-of-9 in 21 minutes off the bench.
“What are you willing to do for this team? How can you contribute and help the team? Chandler Prather and Terren Ward have been two of the biggest dogs and glue pieces,” Purcell said. “I’m happy to see them have great nights. Debreasha is one of the best shooters in the country and has to step away and they’re able to step in and fill that void.”
Another player that performed well off the bench was Destiney McPhaul and she poured in 14 points on 4-of-5 shooting from 3-point range with four rebounds and four assists in 27 minutes. Eniya Russell had 11 points and six assists and Jerkaila Jordan finished with 10 points.
The group had a dominating game from start to finish as they ran out to a 23-10 lead in the first quarter and kept the foot down. A barrage of points in the second allowed MSU to race out to a 53-23 lead as the home team dropped 30 points in that second stanza.
Top 10
- 1
Ohio State vs. Texas odds
Cotton Bowl point spread released
- 2New
Kenny Dillingham
ASU coach blasts targeting review
- 3Hot
Sugar Bowl game time
Kickoff time moved up per report
- 4
Sugar Bowl postponed
Orleans Parish DA gives official word
- 5Trending
Finebaum surrenders
Waving white flag on Alabama, CFP take
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
MSU scored 20 or more points in every quarter of the game and held the visitors under 13 points each quarter.
It was a hot shooting affair for MSU as it was 59% (38-of-64) and made 11-of-25 3-pointers in the win. MSU did have 16 turnovers, but its defense overcame those as it forced 29 turnovers with 16 steals leading to 41 total points.
MSU outrebounded South Carolina State 33-16 with a 14-2 edge on offensive boards and 15 second chance points. MSU also had 27 assists offensively led by nine from point guard Denim DeShields.
“I think we were just being unselfish. When we play against better competition, those things are going to be important,” DeShields said. “Just trusting each other and making the extra pass, I think we did a good job of that (Sunday).”
UP NEXT
Having put together the best start to a season since 2018-19, State now puts itself to the test in the SEC. The conference appears as strong as it has ever been with the additions of Oklahoma and Texas and the Bulldogs have a chance to show that they are one of the teams to fear.
It will be a test right out of the gates for MSU as the Bulldogs play No. 16 Kentucky (10-1), No. 2 South Carolina (11-1) and No. 9 Oklahoma (11-1) in succession. The first of the matchups will be on the road in Lexington beginning Thursday night at 6 p.m. with the other two to follow at home on Sunday and on January 9 respectively.