Sophomore JerKaila Jordan recorded her first double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds Friday night as the Mississippi State women’s basketball team, which trailed 39-31 at the half, came back for a 76-71 win over Jordan was 6 for 11 from the floor and added 2 blocked shots, 2 steals and an assist as the Bulldogs improved to 2-0. The Jackrabbits are 1-1.
Rickea Jackson followed up her 26-point opening night performance with a team-high 23 points, including a 5-for-6 outing at the free throw line. Anastasia Hayes chipped in with 14 points and 4 assists.
Myah Taylor paced the Bulldogs with 7 assists while Denae Carter had 7 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocked shots.
South Dakota State led for much of the first quarter and all of the second before taking an 8-point advantage into the locker room. But that all changed in the second half.
“No major adjustments, to be honest with you, other than I didn’t feel like South Dakota had seen our best,” Bulldogs interim coach Doug Novak said. “It’s what I had anticipated coming in: They are a top-tier basketball program with great coaching. They really know how to play the game, and we’re just not going to get the easy look time and time again. You’re going to have to fight for it, which means you have to continually space and work.”
State’s defensive intensity played a significant role in the solid second half. MSU forced South Dakota State into 8 turnovers, blocked 5 shots and recorded 4 steals. Four of the blocks came during the fourth quarter, and Carter had two of them.
Mississippi State will host Alcorn State at 5 p.m. Sunday.
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