Mississippi State is scheduled to open its women’s basketball season Tuesday against North Alabama at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville. Tipoff is listed for 6:30 p.m. Central, with the game set to air on SECN+ and the MSU Radio Network.
The Bulldogs enter the season after returning three players: Madison Francis, Favour Nwaedozi and Melissa Guillet. Francis and Nwaedozi were the team’s top two scorers last season, according to the school.
Mississippi State also added six transfers from Division I programs, including Aryss Macktoon, Reese Beaty, Macie Phifer and Cali Smallwood. NJCAA All-Americans Tootie Lockett and Arianny Francisco de Oliveira join the roster, along with freshmen Andrea Flores, Grace Ndubueze and Lani Smallwood.
The Bulldogs are 40-12 in season openers and have won their last 22. They have won 40 consecutive home openers at Humphrey Coliseum and hold a 50-2 record in home openers overall.
North Alabama went 17-14 last season and returns three players, while losing all five starters, Mississippi State said. Anna Nimz takes over as coach after six seasons at Northwestern State.
Mississippi State has won all six previous meetings with North Alabama, including a 77-40 victory on Nov. 11, 2022. The Bulldogs are 3-0 against the Lions at Humphrey Coliseum. The teams first met Nov. 9, 1978, when Mississippi State won 78-36 on the road.
The first 500 students at Tuesday’s game will receive a maroon “Attack The Gap” rally towel, the school said.
