Instant Takeaways: No. 9 LSU Stunned By Mississippi State, 77-73

No. 9 LSU (18-4, 5-3 SEC) suffered their second straight loss after falling 77-73 to Mississippi State (17-5, 4-3 SEC) on Monday night in Starkville.

The Bulldogs handled business down the stretch; propelling themselves to a Top 10 victory over the Tigers in a critical conference battle.

The Instant Takeaways From Starkville:

Turnover Woes Plague The Tigers

It quickly became a night to forget for LSU after totaling 21 turnovers in Starkville led by the backcourt tandem of Hailey Van Lith and Flau’jae Johnson.

With seven combined turnovers between the two, with Mikaylah Williams adding four of her own, it was a brutal night at the office for the Tigers.

Van Lith continues adapting to a point guard role, but without a “true” point guard leading the squad, it’s been a challenge for this group through the first half of conference play. Now, LSU has dropped back-to-back SEC games.

Lights Out Shooting From Mississippi State Leads the Way

Jerkaila Jordan took over the game from start to finish for the Bulldogs after being shot out of a cannon in the first quarter. Ending the night with 24 points and five steals, Jordan handled business for Mississippi State when her squad needed her most.

As a program, the Bulldogs were lights out from all three levels, finishing the night shooting 52.9 percent from the field and 52.9 percent from 3-pt range. The one struggle came from the free throw line, shooting 61.5 percent, but the offense came in bunches for this unit.

LSU had no answer for the offensive onslaught from a fiery Mississippi State group from beginning to end.

Mixed Bag From The Frontcourt: Reese Shines, Morrow Struggles

LSU forward Angel Reese always shines when the lights are brightest and Monday night against the Bulldogs was much of the same.

After notching another double-double, the All-American ended the night with 20 points and 18 rebounds for the Tigers.

Alongside her in the frontcourt, Aneesah Morrow was unable to be effective shooting the ball for the Tigers. When Mississippi State kept throwing punches, the All-American turned up the heat defensively to keep LSU in it, but inefficiency from the field plagued this group.

For Morrow and Reese, the duo combined for 34 points, 24 rebounds and two blocks for the Tigers.

The message from Sam Purcell's Bulldogs was clear: Provide a balanced attack from all three levels and shoot the passing lanes with force. The game plan was effective with the Bulldogs pulling off a critical SEC win.

No. 9 LSU will be back in action on Sunday against the Florida Gators in a crucial conference matchup in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.