Cowbell Corner

City of Brotherly Love awaits as Destiney McPhaul comes home

Mississippi State guard Destiney McPhaul returns home to Philadelphia as the Bulldogs carry a seven-game win streak into Saturday’s matchup.
Taylor Hodges|
Mississippi State Guard Destiney McPhaul (#2) during the game between the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville, MS.
Mississippi State Guard Destiney McPhaul (#2) during the game between the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville, MS. | Mississippi State Athletics

In this story:

Mississippi State Bulldogs

Mississippi State women’s basketball is taking its seven game win streak to the City of Brotherly Love, where one Bulldog should be showered in love.

Senior guard Destiney McPhaul is from Philadelphia where the Bulldogs are headed to face La Salle on Saturday morning.

“She’s probably in tears,” Mississippi State coach Sam Purcell said after the Bulldogs’ 105-57 win against Alabama State on Wednesday. “I'm going to be honest with you. What people don't know about (McPhaul) is that she’s the greatest kid ever.

“Her grandmother, who's from there, raised her, basically. She plays for her (grandmother). She's no longer here. So, it's going to be an emotional game when she goes back up there.”

McPhaul is in her second season with the Bulldogs after two seasons at Northwest Florida State College, where she earned All-American honors at the junior college level. In the transfer portal, she was rated as the top guard and second overall prospect.

Before entering the collegiate ranks, McPhaul played at West Catholic Preparatory High School in Philadelphia. She was a three-prospect coming out of high school and was named the 2021 USA Today Sports Pennsylvania Player of the Year, Max Preps Pennsylvania Player of the Year and a finalist for the Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year.

“She was a kid that did the right thing from her neighborhood and I think that's why you're seeing an amount of tickets already sold, because that's Destiney's character,” Purcell said. “She's a young lady who left Philadelphia, and not only left, but went on to do big things.”

McPhaul is one of two returning Bulldogs this season and is taking a bigger, more prominent role that has Purcell filled with Christmas joy.

And she’s getting an awesome Christmas gift from him.

“(We’re) getting her back home for the Christmas holidays in front of her people,” Purcell said with his usual ear-to-ear smile. “And I can't wait to see that beautiful smile, but most importantly, the energy that her family is going to bring, along with all her high school and people that she grew up with.

“Should be an electric environment.”

How to Watch: Mississippi State at La Salle

  • Who: Mississippi State Bulldogs (11-1) at La Salle Explorers (8-3)
  • When: 11 a.m., Saturday
  • Where: John E. Glaser Arena, Philadelphia, Penn.
  • TV: ESPN+
  • Radio: Live Radio
  • Stats: Live Stats
  • Series History: First meeting
  • Last Meeting: n/a
  • Last time out, Bulldogs: def. Alabama State, 105-57
  • Last time out, Tigers: def. Delaware, 65-48

DAWG FEED:

Published
Taylor Hodges
TAYLOR HODGES

Award-winning sports editor, writer, columnist, and photographer with 15 years’ experience offering his opinion and insight about the sports world in Mississippi and Texas, but he was taken to Razorback pep rallies at Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth before he could walk. Taylor has covered all levels of sports, from small high schools in the Mississippi Delta to NFL games. Follow Taylor on Twitter and Facebook.

Home/Basketball