STARKVILLE — In each of the past two seasons, Anriel Howard watched as the Mississippi State women’s basketball team played in back-to-back national championship games.
Now, the former Texas A&M standout is in Starkville trying to help the Bulldogs play for the big prize again.
In her MSU debut Tuesday night, Howard scored 13 points and had nine rebounds in 31 minutes in MSU’s annual Maroon-White scrimmage at Humphrey Coliseum.
“This was exciting,” Howard said. “Been a waiting a long time to be on this court playing with these girls. We have a long way to go, but you can tell the type of team this team can become. It’s going to take a little time. Then we can have a chance to be special.”
In a half that saw MSU divided into two teams — the White squad used a 10-2 run late in the first quarter to pull away to a 55-37 victory against the Maroon. In the three quarters that followed, the MSU women’s team fell to a men’s practice squad, 59-53.
The competition against the men offered highlights. At the end of the second quarter (of three total), the women scored seven points in a 28-second stretch to tie the game at 35-35.
With the crowd thinking this was the final quarter, enthusiasm built in the arena and the officials were even booed when a foul was called on the women’s team with 0.3 seconds left to play. The men hit 1 of 2 free throws and later took control for good in the final two minutes.
“Toughness,” Howard said. “That is what really stood out to me. We have several players who are willing to get down on the floor and hustle for rebounds, make steals. That’s refreshing. If you guard in our league, you can win. The toughness, the physical nature of this team is what really stood out.”
Connecticut transfer Andra Espinoza-Hunter led all scorers with 29 points, including a 6-of-11 night from 3-point range. Teaira McCowan had 19 points and 18 rebounds. Xaria Wiggins had 19 points, while Jazzmun Holmes had 17 points and 12 assists.
“This is going to be a fun team to watch,” Holmes said. “It just felt good to play a game. Defensively, we have a lot of things to work on. Offensively, it is going to come together quicker than most think.”
A total of 204 points were scored in the 50 minutes. This number wasn’t lost on MSU coach Vic Schaefer.
“It was good to see us out competing,” Schaefer said. “We had some young players who showed some good things on offense. Defensively, we have got a long way to go. Really pleased to see our young players. Andra (Espinoza-Hunter), Xaria (Wiggins), and Jessica (Carter) had some stretches where they did some nice things.”
Schaefer knows Howard’s experience will be important when the team starts regular-season play. She joined the program in August as a graduate transfer.
“She is still trying to get comfortable,” Schaefer said. “She is still trying to figure out where she fits in. Always plays hard and rebounds it hard. She has only been with us a short time, so she is trying to find her way. I love the smile on her face. I love how she is ready to come out and compete every day.”
The MSU women and men will take part in Maroon Madness at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Hump. The women will play host to Central Missouri in an exhibition on Nov. 2,. They will open the regular season against Southeast Missouri State on Nov. 6 at Humphrey Coliseum.
For now, Howard will continue to look for her “comfort level.” It was a phrase she and Schaefer used.
On one possession, Holmes brought the ball length of the court in less than eight seconds. Driving through the lane, after the defense collapsed, she dished off at the last second to McCowan for an easy layin.
Howard then had a similar play minutes later.
“She is really good,” Howard said of McCowan. “Don’t think I am not going to enjoy playing alongside her this year.”
n The Harlem Globetrotters will join the men’s and women’s teams on Friday at the Hump.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. Admission is free, and the first 500 fans get free Maroon Madness T-shirts.
The Harlem Globetrotters are a worldwide icon, synonymous with family entertainment and great basketball skills. Founded in 1926, the Globetrotters have entertained more than 146 million fans in 123 countries.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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