Mississippi State Upsets No. 7 Kentucky in Women’s Basketball

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi State claimed its highest-ranked women’s basketball victory under coach Sam Purcell on Sunday, beating seventh-ranked Kentucky 71-59. The Bulldogs snapped Kentucky’s four-game winning streak with the upset at home.

The game was closely contested. Mississippi State jumped out to a 10-point lead in the first quarter. Kentucky responded in the second, entering halftime with a three-point advantage. The Wildcats extended their lead to as many as six in the third quarter, but the Bulldogs kept pace and entered the final period trailing by four points.

In the fourth quarter, Mississippi State rallied. After Kentucky narrowed the deficit to one, the Bulldogs went on a 13-0 run, their largest of the game, to secure the victory with five minutes remaining. Kharyssa Richardson led the Bulldogs with a career-high 23 points and seven rebounds. She went 6-for-6 in the second half, including a three-pointer, to help seal the win.

Trayanna Crisp scored 16 points, including four three-pointers on five attempts, and Madison Francis contributed seven points, seven rebounds, and six blocks. Favour Nwaedozi posted her ninth double-double of the season with 10 points and 21 rebounds. She has now recorded 20 or more rebounds in two games this season, both among the SEC’s top performances.

The Bulldogs will play next at Alabama on Jan. 25. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. on SEC Network+.

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