Offensive Struggles Lead to Embarrassing Loss for Mississippi State Women’s Basketball
STARKVILLE, Miss. — The Mississippi State Bulldogs lost a 72-56 decision to Texas A&M in the second round of the SEC tournament. Once the ball was tipped, it was clear that the Bulldogs' offense was not at its best.
In the first quarter, MSU forced the ball into the post, and the second-team All-SEC member Jessika Carter was overwhelmed by the Aggie's pressure. The Bulldogs could find no rhythm with Carter, and when she touched the ball, it seemed to always end in a turnover.
The Bulldogs ended the first quarter with only nine points and miraculously were only down by five. Their offensive performance was bad in the second quarter as well. The Bulldogs made some adjustments and began to rely more on their guards, but their shots were not falling.
It was a dreadful first half for MSU, but miraculously, they only trailed by four going into the locker room. However, it would only go downhill as the once-cold shooting Aggies were on fire to start the second half.
The Bulldogs tried to push the tempo against the Aggies, but their length led to 12 turnovers and eight steals. MSU wanted to shoot themselves back into the game, but MSU finished an abysmal 5-19 from behind the arc.
The Bulldogs' other All-SEC second-team member, Jerkaila Jordan, did not have a good game either. The Louisiana native finished with just nine points.
Jordan and Carter combining for only 21 points is a kiss of death for MSU. These two veterans are supposed to lead Mississippi State, but neither of them could get into a rhythm today, leading to an embarrassing loss.
The Bulldogs desperately needed this win to make the NCAA tournament. Currently, they are projected to be in the tournament, but their fate is entirely up in the committee's hands after today's loss.
Mississippi State will anxiously wait out the selection show this Sunday, and it is unlikely the Bulldogs would accept a WNIT bid.
