The LSU Tigers took on the Mississippi State Bulldogs in hopes of bouncing back after losing to South Carolina last week. LSU has been known to bounce back in a big way after losing a game, especially when they go on the road. Mississippi State looked to get their first win over an AP Top 10 team since 2018 and begin a new winning streak.
LSU got it going early with a quick 8-2 run. Mississippi State began the game with four turnovers which led to those eight points by the Tigers. The Bulldogs then settled down, hitting their shots, and forcing turnovers on the other end. They went on a 16-2 run to go up by 5.
The Tigers closed the first quarter with a 6-2 run. The story of the game was the battle between Angel Reese and Jessika Carter. In the last four games, Carter had been averaging 19.3 ppg and 11.3 rpg. Carter would end up in early foul trouble, so she sat out a good portion of the first half.
Carter was not the Bulldog to get in foul trouble, as Jerkaila Jordan picked up two fouls as well. Quarnirah Montague picked up three fouls in the second quarter. LSU took advantage and went on a 12-4 run, attacking the rim and crashing the glass for second-chance opportunities.
Despite the foul trouble for the Bulldogs, they were still able to swing the momentum. Freshman guard Mjracle Sheppard came into the game and made an immediate impact on the floor. Mississippi State went on an 8-0 run, with Sheppard accounting for six of those points.
They had a chance to retake the lead, but too many misses at the rim kept them down. LSU also executed a perfect play at halfcourt which led to a made three-pointer by Aneesah Morrow to put them up by five heading into halftime.
Mjracle Sheppard finished the first half with eight points, four assists, and two steals. Her impact on both ends of the floor granted her the start in the second half. She was the primary defender for Hailey Van Lith and held her to just four points and three turnovers. Sheppard finished the game with 12 points, four rebounds, five assists, and six steals.
Mississippi State came out the second half on another level of fired up. They started attacking the rim and forcing turnovers as well as tough shots. They went on a 12-4 run to take the lead and increase the lead to seven.
Jerkaila Jordan was a huge factor in the Bulldogs' run, scoring 12 points in the third quarter bringing her total to 21. She finished with 24 points, four rebounds and five assists.
Mississippi State outscored LSU 28-17 in the third quarter, missing only two shots. The fourth quarter they started with Morrow and Jordan trading buckets. The Bulldogs continued to extend their lead, while LSU attempted to cut into the lead. They went four minutes without making a basket.
LSU finally scored with a little over four minutes left in the game and went on a 6-0 to cut the lead to three. Darrione Rogers hit a clutch three to put Mississippi State back up by six, which ultimately felt like the dagger. Mikaylah Williams hit a three with 20 seconds left, but the Bulldogs needed just one free throw to end the game which Rogers made.
Four players for LSU finished in double figures (Reese with 20 points, Johnson with 18 points, Morrow with 14 points, and Williams with 11 points) but it was not enough as they could not contain Mississippi State's shooting in the second half. Mississippi State snapped their 12-game losing streak versus AP Top 10 teams while LSU dropped back-to-back games for the first time since 2022 when Mulkey became the head coach.
Photo Courtesy: @HailStateWBK
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