Skip to main content
Mississippi State
Join Now

Mississippi State puts together complete performance in 89-59 blowout win over Charlotte

3rupauk8_400x400by: Robbie Faulk2 hours agoRobbieFaulkOn3

As Mississippi State continues to get closer to SEC play in women’s basketball, the Bulldogs appear to be getting better and better each game.

Sunday night was one of State’s most complete games of the season as Sam Purcell welcomed in former Jackson State coach Tomeika Reed and the Charlotte 49ers. Purcell warned that Charlotte’s 4-5 record wasn’t indicative of how tough that team was and his squad didn’t take them for granted as they had the foot on the pedal in a 89-59 game.

“Shout out to my team for hard work. We’ve talked about practices have to be better here in December and I absolutely believe they have,” Purcell said. “For us to compete the way that we have, I’m very pleased.”

State never really had any issues with the visitors and the offensive side of the ball was as good as it’s been this season. MSU had at least 21 points in each quarter and shot 52% from the field.

The defense set the tone in the game as well with the Bulldogs holding Charlotte to 33% with 16 turnovers and they outrebounded Charlotte 51-37. State also outscored them 56-26 in the paint.

State built a 24-15 lead in the first quarter and saw that lead balloon to 45-29 at the half. The Bulldogs would outscore the 49ers 44-30 in the second half to push that lead out to 30 and that was exactly what Purcell wanted to see after his team let off the gas in a blowout win over Pittsburgh on Thursday when State had a 50-point lead and then surrendered a 16-2 run to end the game.  

Six different players scored in double figures in the game led by Favour Nwaedozi notching yet another double-double with 16 points on 8-of-13 shooting and 11 rebounds. Destiney McPhaul followed up a 22-point performance against Pitt with 16 points and three assists while Chandler Prater had 14 points and 13 rebounds on 7-of-12 shooting.

The freshmen had another good game as well with Jaylah Lampley having 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting and five rebounds and Madison Francis filled up the stat sheet yet again with her 14 points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots. Francis’ motor continues to impress Purcell.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the kid,” Purcell said of Francis. “This was probably the most physical team that we’ve played and she got hit. The emotions and the physicality can sometimes take you out of the game, but she had a little break on the bench and came back. When she plays the game, she’s been there before. It’s nothing new for her but I’m just glad to see her do it on the big stage.”

State (9-1) continues to build momentum for SEC play by stacking non-conference wins, but a tough one is on the way next Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.

Missy Bilderback brings her Southern Miss team to town with their 7-3 record. The Golden Eagles started the season 6-0 before hitting a tough stretch against UAB, NC State and SMU, but they got back on track Sunday with a 81-73 revenge win over the Blazers of UAB. They’ll bring some familiar faces to town from the team and Purcell is challenging his fans to show up and support.

“This is a Southern Miss team that brings a lot of their players from ULM who we played last year and we only won by six. They’re going to be fired up and it’s going to be an absolute war. I think they have a chance to win their conference. We’ve got a product that fans should be excited about. Let’s get out, fill that lower bowl and support our kids.”

You may also like