Bulldogs deliver Senior Day blowout to Texas A&M, 81-55

 With the NCAA Tournament right around the corner, Mississippi State wants to make sure it doesn’t have a repeat of last season.

The Bulldogs limped into the SEC Tournament a season ago and played themselves out of the tournament. To get closer to locking up a berth this year, a win on Sunday vs. Texas A&M was imperative.

After a relatively close first half, State made sure that it checked that objective off the list as the Bulldogs outscored A&M by 16 in the third quarter and cruised to a 81-55 win over the Aggies.

“I think we’re just moving forward each game,” Jerkaila Jordan said. “Last year, we were right there and it slipped out of our hands. Knowing that every game matters. We go out there and play our best knowing that we have postseason ahead of us.”

Third quarter lifts Bulldogs to blowout win

Late in the second quarter, the Bulldogs got the momentum they needed for the rest of the game. After trading leads with the Aggies early in the quarter, State finished the half on a 13-2 run and held a 36-28 lead.

The third quarter would be all Bulldogs as State got a 4-for-7 frame from 3-point range including 3-of-4 makes from Debreasha Powe. Outscoring A&M 27-11 in the quarter, State was able to push the lead out to 63-39 and that would be the ball game.

“What a smile (Powe) had because that kid works as hard as anybody,” coach Sam Purcell said. “I’ve always said that she needs a minimum of eight or nine (shots) and we got her 12. I think you see a comfort and rhythm about her and I’m just proud of who she is.”

Turnovers on both sides of the ball would be big for the Bulldogs in the game as State turned A&M over 18 times. State would also put together its best game of the season from a ball security standpoint as the Bulldogs had seven turnovers, marking the first time this year MSU has had single digit turnovers.

“We talk about execution, and I think we’re a really bad screening team prior to this game. We’re just making sure that we’re helping a group that’s still new,” Purcell said. “This was a huge off week to make sure they understand the timing of plays and how to set screens. I think that was a huge reason our turnovers were better.

“It was great to see after the off week that improvements could occur. Now, can you do it in two games?”

MSU shot 31-of-70 from the field in the game and 8-of-21 from 3-point range while making 11-of-13 free throws. The Bulldogs held the Aggies to 20-of-48 from the field, 5-of-17 from three and 10-of-16 from the line.

State also won the rebounds 38-31, had 17 offensive rebounds lead to 18 second chance points and the Bulldogs won the paint 42-26. State had 10 steals on defense and 18 assists on the 31 made shots.

Powe led the Bulldogs in points with 19 on 5-of-9 makes from three. Madina Okot had 16 points with 12 rebounds, two blocks and two steals. It was Okot’s 10^th double-double of the season.

Jordan had 13 points on senior day with seven rebounds and four assists and Eniya Russell finished with 13 points as well with five rebounds and five assists.

Up Next

It was win number 19 for the Bulldogs (19-9, 6-8 SEC) and the team is now a step closer to getting into the NCAA Tournament. Obviously, that ticket would be almost assuredly be punched if State can find a win on Thursday night at Humphrey Coliseum.

The Bulldogs will welcome back the program’s most successful coach as No. 2 Texas comes to Starkville with head coach Vic Schaefer. Game time is 6:30 on SEC Network +.

“We’ve got to have a one game mentality. I’ve talked about what a beast league this is and you have to enjoy the ride that comes with it,” Purcell said. “My focus with them is to be the best team you can be come March. Win as many games as you can, try to make a deep run and leave no doubt we should be in the tournament.

“I’m just looking forward to the opportunity of playing the No. 1 team in the country.”