Bulldogs beat Gators, win streak at two

Credit Mississippi State Athletics

Mississippi State chomps down Florida with a 73-56 win in Gainesville, improving to 17-7 overall and 6-5 in the SEC. The win is the Bulldog’s second straight victory and their second win of a three-game week.

State’s defense showed up and showed out, holding the Gators to 25% (6-for-24) from behind the three-point line on the night while also holding the Gators to 15 points below their season average of 71 points per game. After leading by five points at the end of the first quarter, the Bulldogs grabbed all the momentum in the second quarter thanks to their defense by holding Florida to just 7.7% shooting from the field. The Bulldogs outrebounded Florida 46-31, State’s second consecutive game out rebounding their opponent. 

JerKaila Jordan continues to be a leader on the ball’s offensive side, putting up 20 points, nine rebounds, and one steal. Jordan has had two consecutive 20-point performances, knocking down 24 against Tennessee on Monday night. Jordan went perfect from the three-point line putting up four three-pointers on the night. Her four-made triples are a season-high.

Ahlana Smith and Asianae Johnson also helped pace the Bulldogs on Thursday. Smith scored 12 points on the night, her ninth double-digit scoring game of the season, nine of which came in the third quarter while adding six rebounds and an assist to her totals. Johnson added 11 points and four assists to her stat line on Thursday.

Game Notes

• • First time State has scored 20 points in the first quarter since Dec. 29 at Vanderbilt (22)
• • First points of the second quarter were scored by Denae Carter with a layup at the 6:59 mark
• • First time the Bulldogs have led at halftime by double-digits since Jan. 15 at Texas A&M (10)
• • Jordan’s second game in a row scoring in the double figures in the first half
• • Bulldogs outrebounded the Gators 46-31
• • State outscored Florida 34-18 in the paint
• • Bulldogs ended the third quarter on a 6-0 run
• • State held Florida to just 56 points, well below their season average of 71 ppg
• • Jessika Carter had a season-high three steals
• • Mississippi State has won nine of the last 10 meetings against Florida
• • Coach Purcell’s six SEC wins are the most by any MSU head coach in their first season at State. Purcell broke a tie with Vic Schafer who won five in his first season.

Quoting Coach Sam Purcell

On JerKaila Jordan getting out of a slump

“She showed me earlier this year how special she is. I referenced to y’all; I think she’s a female Dwayne Wade, who’s a hall of famer. She does stuff that you just can’t coach. There’s no play I need, just play. I think it speaks volumes because obviously, we are in higher education in college, that you know what these are life lessons, how do you respond and how do you grow up. She had a bad week, and she doesn’t score, and that’s her character. She got in the gym, she rolled up her sleeves, and she worked. Now to have back-to-back games is a statement of who she is and where she can go.”

Up Next

Mississippi State will be back home on Sunday when they host Texas A&M at 2 p.m. in their annual Think Pink game.