Mississippi State women extend win streak to three
Credit Mississippi State Athletics
Mississippi State extended its win streak to three games on Sunday with a 70-62 victory over Texas A&M in their annual ‘Think Pink’ game presented by OCH Regional Hospital. The Bulldog’s win improves their record to 18-7 overall and 7-5 in the SEC.
Mississippi State came out hot on Sunday, getting things started with a 10-0 run to start the game before scoring 20 in the opening frame. The Bulldogs capitalized on turnovers throughout the contest, scoring 22 points off the Aggies’ 16 turnovers. Mississippi State’s offense has been clicking of late. On Sunday, the Bulldogs shot 41% from the floor and have now shot at least 40% in three straight games and seven of the last eight contests. State also shot 37% from three and 77% from the foul line.
Jessika Carter made a statement against the Aggies, scoring 17 points while adding nine rebounds and two assists. This is Carter’s first double-digit scoring game since she scored 18 against Ole Miss on Jan. 26.
Anastasia Hayes fed the Bulldogs the ball, dishing out four assists. Hayes added 17 points to her stat line, her third double-digit scoring game in the last six contests. She also grabbed five rebounds. Ahlana Smith scored 13 points and added seven rebounds, tying her season and career high, her second consecutive game scoring in double figures.
Game Notes
- State ended the first quarter on a 6-0 run, with Debreasha Powe knocking down a three-pointer at the buzzer
- State scored 13 points off of the Aggies’ nine turnovers in the first half
- Bulldogs outrebounded Texas A&M 40-26
- Bulldogs scored 40 points in the paint. MSU has scored at least 40 paint points 14 times this season.
- Hayes led the team in scoring for the third time this season with 17 points.
- Jessika Carter joined Hayes in leading the team in scoring. Carter has been the team’s leading scorer 12 times this season. Carter also led the team in rebounding for the 14th time this season.
- Haynes has led the team in assists 16 times now this season.
- State has now scored 20 points in the first quarter in consecutive games
- Hayes has recorded 4+ assists in 14 games this season.
Quoting Coach Sam Purcell
Opening statement
“I am so proud of my young women. Like I said after on the court, ‘two weeks ago we were sitting here with two bad losses in our mouth, a bad taste. We have an off week where we go old school and put out a circle of chairs, and we have conversations. ‘We talked, and we said, ‘you know what? We came here for something special, and we don’t want to be denied.’ We saw the task at hand, and we had three games in one week, and you know what, these young women are special. I am the luckiest coach in the world because they are together. They are playing hard, and boy, what a way to finish this week off and capitalize on a Super Bowl Sunday.”
Up Next
Mississippi State is on the road next Thursday when they travel to Columbia, Mo., to take on the Mizzou Tigers before coming back home on Sunday, Feb. 19, to host Alabama at 4:30 p.m.
Sunday’s game vs. Alabama will be senior day.
