Mississippi State Women's Basketball falls to Texas A&M 72-56
STARKVILLE, Miss. — The Mississippi State Bulldogs fall to Texas A&M 72-56 in the second round of the SEC tournament. It was clear early that the Bulldogs were in for a long day as they scored only nine points in the first quarter.
However, MSU managed to trail only by four going into halftime; good defense and the Aggies going cold from the field helped. In the second half, the Aggies came out hot and put it to the Bulldogs, who struggled immensely on offense all day.
Texas A&M outscored the Bulldogs 26-14 in the third quarter, and the route was on. Jerkaila Jordan (9) and Jessika Carter (12) gave little production, and MSU cannot win games if it gets such little contributions from its two best players.
Mississippi State desperately needed this win to ensure their NCAA tournament resume. However, the Bulldogs now have to sweat out the selection show.
Here is how it happened
1st Quarter
10:00 MSU wins the tip, and we are underway.
7:36 It is clear that the Bulldog game plan is to feed Carter inside, and the offense is struggling. The Aggies lead 4-0.
5:27 Jordan with a big three to get MSU their first points of the game. The Bulldogs are playing good defense early just need to be better in transition. Carter has been a force in the inside on defense. The score is tied at 6.
4:30 MSU is just playing recklessly here early. The Bulldogs are playing hard but need to slow down and avoid mistakes. A&M leads 8-6.
2:30 The intensity cannot be questioned for MSU as they draw a charge. Shots are just not falling for MSU and a lot of forced three-pointers. Purcell will take a timeout. MSU trails 12-6.
0:00 The trend of slow starts continues for MSU. The Bulldogs cannot find any rhythm on offense. At their best, the MSU offense is playing at a high pace. They also need to be better on the boards and avoid giving the Aggies second-chance points. MSU trails 14-9.
2nd Quarter
7:37 MSU is trying to force the ball to Carter and Barnum and it is not working out. Going forward the Bulldog offense needs to run through Jordan as she nails a jumper. MSU trails 16-11.
4:00 MSU is forcing turnovers on defense, and the Bulldogs are trying to push the pace. Credit to the Aggies, who are playing good transition defense, and avoiding an MSU run despite their cold shooting. The Aggies continue to get buckets after offensive rebounds. MSU trails 20-15.
3:06 Carter is getting dominated on the offensive boards, leading to an Aggie three. MSU trails 23-17.
0:00 When MSU feeds the post, it goes bad as Carter commits a turnover and travels on the ensuing possession. Barnum has her first points of the game with a mid-range jumper. MSU is lucky this game is as close as it is because they have played poorly on defense. In the second half controlling the pace on the offensive end needs to be a priority for the Bulldogs. MSU trails 25-21.
3rd Quarter
7:50 Not a good start for MSU to start the half. The Aggies are getting nice scores around the rim, and the Bulldogs foul a shooter to give A&M a three-point play. MSU trails 32-24.
7:17 MSU once again came out flat to start a half, but now the Aggies are responding. The Bulldogs need to respond quickly or this will be a blowout. MSU trails 36-24.
4:36 A Wide-open layup allows A&M to extend its lead. The Bulldog offense is struggling as well and is still aiming forcing shots. The Aggies are dictating the pace of this game, and it shows. MSU trails 41-26.
2:28 There are just too many open looks from three for the Aggies. The Bulldogs are struggling on offense and have only scored seven points this quarter. The Aggies lead 47-28.
0:00 MSU is getting embarrassed right now. The Bulldog offense consists of turnovers and wild shots right now. Barring a miracle the Bulldogs will drop a game they desperately needed. MSU trails 51-35.
4th Quarter
8:32 The Aggies cannot miss from behind the arc right now. A&M is also playing excellent defense as the Bulldogs can find no open looks, and cannot get to the rim. MSU trails 56-37.
6:12 MSU is using full-court pressure to try and get some quick points. However, the Aggies score with a nice post look. Rogers missed an open three that could have cut the lead to 15 just that kind of day for MSU. The Aggies lead 60-40.
4:31 The Bulldogs are starting to knock down some shots, but now they cannot get a stop. A&M has slowed the pace of this game. MSU trails 65-45.
2:47 The Aggies have clamped down on defense, and MSU cannot get decent looks on offense. MSU trails 67-47.
0:00 This was a loss the Bulldogs did not need. MSU is firmly on the bubble and is currently listed in the tournament, but now, with a loss, MSU is not safe. Mississippi State falls 72-56.
| Mississippi State Starters | Texas A&M Starters |
|---|---|
Lauren Park-Lane | Kay Kay Green |
Jerkaila Jordan | Sahara Jones |
Debreasha Powe | Aicha Coulibaly |
Erynn Barnum | Janiah Baker |
Jessika Carter | Lauren Ware |
What: Mississippi State Bulldogs (21-10, 8-8 SEC) versus Texas A&M Aggies (18-11, 6-10)
Where: Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville, South Carolina
TV: SEC Network
When: Thursday, 11 a.m. Central
Series: MSU has a slight edge in this relatively new series 12-6. The first matchup was on Nov. 20, 2011.
Previous Meeting: MSU defeated Texas A&M earlier this season, 74-63. Erynn Barnum led the way for MSU with 22 points.
Last time out, Aggies: Texas A&M lost their regular season finale 78-71 to Alabama. Alabama had a 21-10 second quarter and never lost the lead.
Last time out, Bulldogs: MSU ended their five-game winning streak in their previous 90-75 win over Missouri. Jerkaila Jordan took over in the third quarter and scored 18 points to lead the Bulldogs.
