STARKVILLE – With the ball in her hands and the shot clock barreling toward zero, Destiney McPhaul had no choice but to put up a heave from deep.
First a crossover and a step back to create some space from Charlotte’s Zoe Best’s rabid defense, then McPhaul let it fly. Looking like a meteor falling from space, the ball sailed high toward the rafters inside Humphrey Coliseum then sharply angled back down toward the goal. McPhaul could only stand and watch as it fell true after banking off the top right corner of the glass, which sent the Bulldogs’ bench into a towel-twirling frenzy. As all in attendance let loose their cheers at the feat, head coach Sam Purcell found himself smiling and scratching his head as well.
“The kid is just special and just finds a way to make big-time plays,” Purcell said of McPhaul.
The shot, however dramatic, wasn’t a game-winner or a dagger in a comeback victory – State was up 54-35 at the time – but another indication of just the kind of night it was for MSU in a dominating 89-59 victory over the visiting 49ers Sunday night.
Six different Bulldogs scored double-digit points, McPhaul and Favour Nwaedozi led the team with 16 points each, and most importantly, Purcell got a full four quarters of intense and winning basketball that he has been asking for. Using a 8-0 run at the end of the half, MSU easily took a 45-29 lead to the break and outscored the 49ers 22-17 in the third quarter and 22-14 in the final frame.
“So, very pleased to have four quarters,” Purcell said. “I’ve been talking about that all year, (we) put (it) together and now let’s try to finish strong.”
Madison Francis and Chandler Prater each splashed in 14 points, Jaylah Lampley scored 12 points and Trayanna Crisp chipped in 11 points to help their team win its fifth game in a row and improve to 9-1 on the season. The team finished with six made baskets from deep and shot 52.1% from the floor.
“So, I really like where we are at, how we’re playing,” he said. “(I) still think there’s another level, which is scary, on the offensive end, flowing into the offense. That first quarter we had a chance to put up 30 (points) and we missed two or three possessions, which were bad shots. And again (what) I’m trying to help my young women understand is, ‘What is a bad shot?’ … So, if I can clean that up a bit, clean up the zone (defense), we haven’t had much of a chance to work on it, but we played a lot of it today. I really like where we are headed.”
It wasn’t just a spectacular offensive showing on offense, as MSU also locked things down defensively. Charlotte was held to just 32.8% shooting from the floor, and was blocked six times and outrebounded 51-37.
“We have been working a lot on our defense and this is honestly a defensive league, so we’re definitely on that,” said Prater, who also hauled in 13 rebounds for a double-double.
Up next for MSU is a 2 p.m Dec. 14 bout with in-state foe Southern Miss at the Hump. Led by first-year head coach Missy Bilderback, the Golden Eagles are 7-3 on the season and are coming off an 81-73 win over UAB on Sunday. Purcell wants it loud inside the Hump when the game tips off and issued a challenge for fans to flock to the game in support.
“This is a big game and I think they have a chance to win their conference,” he said. “I love this game because you want to play for in-state opportunities. I think it’s good for our fanbase, I hope a lot of their fans drive up, but again I’m challenging our fans to support us on Sunday against a team that is off to a great start. Let’s pack this bottom bowl, let’s finish out December, let’s help us finish this the right way.”
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 31 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 31 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
