STARKVILLE – Mississippi State women’s basketball put up a strong fight against national championship contenders LSU on senior night at Humphrey Coliseum on Sunday. Still, it wasn’t enough to overcome the No. 6-ranked Tigers in a 72-63 defeat.
The Bulldogs (18-12, 5-11 SEC) pulled out to a 12-3 lead in the first quarter by the 3:31 mark of the first half, but would manage only 10 more points for the rest of the half. The Tigers ended the first quarter on a 9-2 run and began the second with an 11-0 run to take command 0f the contest. Mikaylah Williams and MiLaysia Fulwiley both reached double-digit points in the first half to give the Tigers a 35-22 lead at halftime.
MSU needed an answer and got it with a 15-3 run in the first few minutes of the second half. The Bulldogs got a big swing on a bucket through contact by Madison Francis, the and-one bucket from the foul, and an additional pair of free throws from the upgraded foul upon review. Trayanna Crisp buried the free throws and Kharyssa Richardson added two more from the line after taking a foul on the next possession. After another trip to the line for Favour Nwaedozi, the Bulldogs took a 39-38 lead after trailing by 13 at the break.
The Tigers were able to get back in front going into the final frame, and even got to the foul line at the buzzer after intercepting an inbounds pass. They added two points to lead 54-47 going into the fourth quarter.
Williams continued to hurt the Bulldogs with a good mix of scoring 14 of her 26 points in the second half and hitting a three to start pulling away from MSU again in the fourth quarter. She finished with 15 rebounds as well to complete a double-double in the road victory.
MSU will await the results of the rest of the conference before opening play in the SEC Tournament on Wednesday in Greenville, South Carolina.
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