Mississippi State vs. Creighton – Women’s College Basketball Game Recap – March 17, 2023 | ESPN

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — — Jerkaila Jordan scored 20 and led No. 11 seed Mississippi State to an 81-66 win towards No. 6 Creighton within the girls’s NCAA Match on Friday evening.

Jessika Carter, the 6-5 Bulldog middle, took benefit of the Bluejays’ undersized frontcourt, with 14 factors and 10 rebounds. Anastasia Hayes chipped in 12 factors and 7 assists. Ahlana Smith and Asianae Johnson every added 10 factors.

“What a particular group of younger girls,” coach Identical Purcell mentioned. “I’ve received the perfect seat in the home. They’ve received that look. We talked about arising right here and getting that championship DNA.”

Lauren Jensen scored 22 factors to guide Creighton (22-9), which made a run to the regional last final season. Emma Ronsiek scored 21 factors, hitting 3 of 6 pictures from past the arc, however the remainder of the Bluejays shot simply 28.0% from the sphere

“They had been the higher crew,” Creighton coach Jim Flanery mentioned. “I’m pleased with our crew. To not discredit them, however this wasn’t the perfect of what we’ve proven this yr.”

The Bulldogs picked up their second NCAA Match victory in coach Sam Purcell’s inaugural season. Mississippi State defeated Illinois in a First 4 matchup on Wednesday.

Mississippi State (23-10) will face No. 3 Notre Dame (26-5) within the second spherical of the NCAA Match on Sunday. The Combating Irish are internet hosting first and second-round NCAA video games this weekend.

“We don’t thoughts being the underdog,” Smith mentioned. “I believe it makes us work more durable. We perceive that there’s so much at stake, however we love being the underdog. It’s nice. The strain will not be on us, so we’re in a position to play free, play confidently and for one another.”

TURNING POINT

Debreasha Powe hit back-to-back 3-pointers to offer Mississippi State a 6-0 lead within the first minute, and the Bulldogs by no means trailed.

Creighton battled all through the primary half earlier than Mississippi State grabbed a commanding 20-point lead halfway via the third quarter. At that time, the sport felt out of attain for the Bluejays.

STAT OF THE NIGHT

Mississippi State hit 11 of 19 shot makes an attempt from past the arc, tying this system’s season-high for 3-pointers made in a recreation.

The Bulldog’s sizzling taking pictures efficiency caught the Bluejays unexpectedly, particularly after Mississippi State missed 21 of 29 3-pointers over its final two video games.

“We didn’t actually count on them to come back out and shoot it like that,” Jensen mentioned. “Props to them, although. Clearly, they’d a bit of little bit of top on us within the put up, so I guess they anticipated that we had been going to attempt to cater most of our recreation plan to that.”

Creighton held opponents to twenty-eight.0% from deep this season, so the Bulldogs took benefit of these high quality 3-point appears to be like early by flattening eight of them within the first half.

HE SAID IT

Purcell is thrilled to be within the NCAA Match. He sees it because the fruits of months of onerous work and time away from household.

“We dwell a distinct life than different folks,” Purcell mentioned. “It’s a blessing, but additionally there are plenty of sacrifices. You don’t must say Christmases or Thanksgivings as a standard individual. So when March comes, it’s our Christmas. So for me, it’s the great thing about all of the onerous work, and you’ll see the prize.” BIG PICTURE

Mississippi State: advances with an opportunity to get to the Candy 16 for the primary time for the reason that Bulldogs had been a No. 1 seed within the 2018-19 NCAA Match.

Creighton: falls within the first around the yr after the crew’s unbelievable run final yr.

“That’s the great thing about that event,” Flanery mentioned. “Final yr we had a magical run, however nothing’s assured that was given. It simply wasn’t our day.”

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