Bulldogs dominate in the paint, find a way in Nashville, 85-77
Thursday night could be characterized best by being an adventure for Mississippi State but it’s an adventure that ended with a win.
After missing out on a couple of chances to seal off a road win, the Bulldogs came alive in the second overtime in Nashville. The Bulldogs outscored the Commodores 13-5 in the second overtime to get a gutsy 85-77 road win.
“We want this. We’ve had moments of unbelievable wow basketball and unbelievable heartbreak. If this one game hasn’t been our season, I don’t know what is,” coach Sam Purcell said. “It was just a team effort and the energy on the bench and collective gelling came together that we’ve lacked.”
Okot and Montague shut off the paint for Bulldogs
The game was one by what the Bulldogs did inside as State dominated the paint. Madina Okot had a career game with 21 points and 23 rebounds in 33 minutes played. Okot added four steals and two blocks with three assists. Quanirah Montague was also big off the bench and had 15 points with 12 rebounds. The two post players combined for 16-of-21 from the field.
Their work in the paint led State to a 65-43 advantage on rebounds with 26 offensive boards leading to 24 points. State had a 66-30 performance in the paint.
The Bulldogs needed every bit of those plays inside because State struggled on the perimeter. MSU shot 35-of-90 from the field and just 2-of-27 from 3-point range. On top of that, State had 22 turnovers that led to 26 points for Vanderbilt.
It was a game that saw State fight through those tough moments, however. After a rough first quarter got them down 19-9, the Bulldogs came back in the second and outscored the Dores 20-12 to cut the lead to 31-29 at the break.
Top 10
- 1
Brad Stevens
Makes Indiana intentions clear
- 2
Auburn vs. Alabama odds
Point spread released
- 3
Dawn Staley
Admonishes rev-share reversal
- 4Hot
March Madness
Predicting Top 16 reveal
- 5Trending
Joel Klatt
NFL Mock Draft
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.
Tied up with 19 seconds remaining in regulation, the Bulldogs had the ball with a chance to win it but Jerkaila Jordan’s shot fell short. State had another chance to win in overtime leading by two with just 20 seconds left but turned the ball over on the inbounds and Makayla Blakes hit a jumper to send it to double overtime.
In the second extra time, State pulled away. The two teams had 13 ties and 12 lead changes.
Joining the post players in double figures would be Jordan as she tied Okot for the team lead with 21 points on 9-of-24 shooting and she had four rebounds. Chandler Prater had 11 points and nine rebounds in another start for State.
The win for the Bulldogs got them to 18-8 and 5-7 in SEC play as they continue to stay afloat trying to lock in an NCAA Tournament berth. The Bulldogs can take another step forward on Sunday when they travel to Florida to take on the Gators at 1 p.m. The game can be seen on SEC Network +.
“This is a huge win for us,” Purcell said. “I’m not going to say we’ve got breathing room because this one doesn’t mean much if you don’t turnaround and win the other ones.”
