STARKVILLE – While most people have already lit all the fuses on their fireworks and colorful pyrotechnics to usher in the new year in a dazzling display, Mississippi State’s women’s basketball team kept a bag of the good stuff sealed for the day after.
Trayanna Crisp dropped the ball into the net from deep three times on a run to 17 points on the very first day of 2026 to help the Bulldogs tip off SEC play with a dominating 75-53 victory over visiting Auburn.
Destiney McPhaul exploded for 14 points, Madison Francis brought the shower of sparks with a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double and Jaylah Lampley delivered some ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ with the added pop of 11 points to que up the bang of the confetti cannon inside Humphrey Coliseum.
The Bulldogs (14-1, 1-0) raced ahead to a 10-2 lead out of the gate and the result was never in doubt the rest of the way behind an excellent showing on defense, holding the Tigers (11-4, 0-1) to just 27.3% shooting from the floor in the first quarter and 35.2% for the game. The offense did its part with a stellar night – shooting 45.8% from the floor. State led 14-7 after the first quarter, 32-23 at halftime and cruised to the fourth quarter in front, 52-39.
The Tigers came into the game with one of the better defensive squads in the conference and showcased their prowess with 14 steals for 21 points off turnovers and a smothering presence in the paint. Auburn was a challenge the Bulldogs knew they had to get up for, and head coach Sam Purcell said he loved the way his team played.
“I’m just proud of my team, just proud of how they fought against an Auburn team that is known for their defense,” Purcell said. “I thought you had two ways to attack it: You can play scared and set up plays or you can attack it to score, and I think we attack to score. … I think you give credit to (Auburn’s) defense, I think they’re one of the top 11 in the country, but you know what – we play defense too, and that’s what you saw tonight.”
The victory is State’s 10th in a row.
“It’s the SEC,” McPhaul said. “There’s going to be a lot of teams that (play scrappy defense), we want to be the ones doing it, but just like (Trayanna) said, it’s all about staying being bullies and staying together and not (putting) too much on them with things on defense, but just focusing on ourselves.”
Up next for the Bulldogs is their toughest road test of the season so far, a trip to No. 4 Oklahoma on Sunday, a team Purcell could be one of the final four teams standing in the NCAA Tournament.
“It starts with returning experience, which I think I think they are up there with as much returning experience – you are not going to surprise them at all. Their coach (Jennie Baranczyk) is first and foremost phenomenal. If there’s anyone in the league who I think matches my energy, she is one of them. I’ve got great respect for her and what she’s done with that program, both basketball wise and recruiting. … So, we’ve got our work cut out. We’ll pray for safe travels getting up there, and then again at this point we’re playing at house money. It’s on their court and we’re expecting their best punch, but we need to play loose and we need to play together.”
Once the team gets back, they’ll welcome in No. 23 Tennessee on Jan. 8. Purcell took the microphone after the Auburn win and issued a challenge to those in attendance to each bring two more people with them back to the Hump for against the Vols.
“I can’t be more proud of this team since December 1 (for) the work they’re putting in,” he said. “And again, I’m going to educate our fanbase and that’s why I’m challenging everybody to come and sell out this bottom bowl. If you can see the amount of hours they’re putting in behind the scenes right now, there’s no school that’s impressive. It’s the most impressive I’ve been since I’ve been head coach.”
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