Five Themes From Mississippi State Women's Basketball First SEC Win

With a team-high seven assists, Jessika Park-Lane became one of seven players in NCAA women's basketball history to surpass 2,000 career points and 800 career assists.

Graduate student center Jessika Carter posted her 35th career double-double to lift Mississippi State to a 66-63 win over Arkansas inside Bud Walton Arena on Thursday. 

With the road win, Mississippi State improved to 14-4 overall on the season and 1-2 in the SEC. 

Here are five things to note for the Lady Bulldogs:

A Return To Dominance

MSU senior Jessika Carter was a force in this game. Carter did not struggle in the Bulldog's opening SEC games, but everyone knew she had more in the tank.

Carter put up 22 points and 19 rebounds tonight and controlled the paint for the Bulldogs. Carter was also perfect from the free throw line, which paid dividends late in the game as she completed an and-one to give MSU a lead late.

Carter sealed off her performance with a block on the Razorback's last possession. Meanwhile, she became one of seven players in NCAA women's basketball history to surpass 2,000 career points and 800 career assists. 

Hot Shooting

The Razorbacks overcame a double-digit deficit led via the three-pointer. The Razorbacks shot 38 threes and made 10.

A hot shooting in the third quarter led to a fascinating fourth quarter. The Bulldogs must improve their perimeter defense as SEC play progresses. 

Game of Runs

This game was defined by runs, particularly in the second and third quarters. MSU dominated the second quarter by outscoring the Razorbacks 16-8 to give them a 12-point halftime lead. 

However, the Razorbacks responded with a run of their own in the third, aided by the three-point shot as the Razorbacks outscored the Bulldogs 26-15 to cut the lead to one. The Bulldogs recovered in the fourth quarter by outscoring Arkansas 17-15. 

Gutsy Performance

Jerkaila Jordan came into this game hobbled after rolling an ankle in practice, but she played anyway. Jordan did not seem fazed as she scored 17 points and pulled down five big rebounds.

Jordan gave the Bulldogs a boost of energy in the third quarter after back-to-back steals and buckets to stop the Razorback run. Player of the game honors have to go to Carter after her career night, but Jordan was the toughest player on the floor. 

Much Needed Win

MSU could not afford to drop to 0-3 in conference play in the brutal SEC. This win was needed and came against a good Razorback team in Bud Walton, a notorious, tough place to play. 

The Bulldogs have no time to relax as they welcome their in-state rival, Ole Miss, to Starkville on Sunday. There are plenty of opportunities for MSU to build their NCAA tournament resume, but the Bulldogs desperately needed momentum, and now they have it heading into a big match-up.

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