STARKVILLE — Teaira McCowan didn’t know she made history Wednesday afternoon.
The 6-foot-7 senior center has re-written the Mississippi State women’s basketball record book in her first three seasons in Starkville. On Wednesday, McCowan added another highlight as she became the first Bulldog to go 11-for-11 from the field in No. 6 MSU’s 106-41 victory against Furman before a crowd of 6,970 at Humphrey Coliseum.
“I feel like I am doing a better job in establishing position early and then not waiting until the ball gets to the wing to do my work,” McCowan said.
McCowan is the first Bulldog to go perfect from the field on 10 or more attempts. Against Furman, which started only two players 6-1 or taller, McCowan carved out space on the block and sealed position for her teammates to deliver passes so she could turn and score with ease. As a result, MSU had 28 assists on a day it shot 42-for-67 from the field (62.7 percent). That effort narrowly missed the all-time best field goal shooting percentage mark (65.6, 40-for-61) against Georgia State on Nov. 16, 2017.
McCowan had 16 of her game-high 24 points in the second half to help push MSU to 5-0. McCowan added 10 rebounds for her 11-straight double-double dating back to least season. She has scored 20 or more points in eight of those games.
McCowan also is closing in on another record. With 1,076 rebounds, McCowan is 32 rebounds shy of the school record held by LaToya Thomas.
All told, McCowan has four double-doubles this season and 43 for her career.
MSU coach Vic Schaefer said he wants McCowan to keep playing at this level when the Bulldogs face opponents with more size.
He said the Bulldogs need to continue to share the basketball the rest of the season to make things easier for McCowan.
Senior point guard Jazzmun Holmes, senior Jordan Danberry, and redshirt sophomore Myah Taylor each had six assists.
“I don’t care how big the opponent is. You have to be really focused not to miss a shot,” Schaefer said. “I don’t care where you are on the floor. Two, I want to see her do it against bigger kids. For her, she has got to keep working hard because the big ones are coming.”
McCowan feels the start to the season has given her a solid foundation to build on for the rest of the season.
“We’re playing well,” McCowan said. “You have people knocking down shots on the outside, which frees it up for me to go one-on-one, and the one-on-one game is pretty good, so I’m confident in that.”
Luncheon series will continue next week
The Hail State Hoops luncheon series will continue Tuesday.
The luncheon series will be held in Mize Pavilion beginning at 11:30 a.m. Doors open at 11:15 a.m.
The cost is $15 per lunch, or $85 for the luncheon bundle. The luncheon bundle includes admission to all of the luncheons and entry into the drawings to win a door prize.
Limited spots are available for the luncheons, and RSVPs will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Fans can RSVP for the luncheons by calling 662-325-0198 or e-mailing [email protected].
Each lunch features a full meal and hoops talk with coach Schaefer, his staff, and members of the No. 6 team that is coming off of back to back national championship appearances.
Word of praise from Schaefer
Schaefer singled out the fans for creating a great environment on the afternoon before Thanksgiving. He praised parents for bringing their children and all of the fans who brought a canned food item to receive a free ticket.
“Just really want to compliment our crowd and our community for doing that,” Schaefer said.
This and that
Anriel Howard needs two points to eclipse 1,000 for her career. She has double in double digits in three-straight games. … Freshman Jessika Carter had five points, nine rebounds, and four blocked shots in 23 minutes. … The Bulldogs had a 56-10 edge in points in the paint and a 41-9 advantage in points off turnovers. MSU forced 26 turnovers.
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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