Mississippi State’s Madison Francis heads home for Buffalo game

Madison Francis is set to play near home Saturday when Mississippi State meets an opponent in Buffalo, New York, about 20 minutes from her hometown of Lancaster. The 11 a.m. Central time game is expected to draw about 100 of Francis’ family members and friends, according to the team’s account.

The trip also gives Francis a chance to show her teammates the area where she grew up. Mississippi State plans to visit Niagara Falls during its stay, and Francis said she was excited to return home with the team.

Coach Sam Purcell said he makes an effort to schedule games in players’ hometowns when possible. Many players on his roster are from outside Mississippi, he said, and he wants them to have a chance to play in front of the people who supported them before college.

Purcell said he also hopes Francis’ appearance can encourage young players in the area. He told her that girls who followed her through high school, USA Basketball or her college career might see her as an example to work hard, he said.

The game is part of a recent pattern for the program. Destiney McPhaul played in her hometown of Philadelphia last season, while Eniya Russell returned to Maryland as a Bulldog the season before.

Mississippi State is seeking to open the season 4-0. Francis praised her teammates’ effort and said she values playing alongside them. She described the hometown game as a meaningful example of Purcell’s focus on building connections with his players.

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