Mississippi State women’s basketball handle business early in blowout win over Florida A&M – The Dispatch

STARKVILLE — All of it felt a little bit too informal on Thursday night time at The Hump. 

Although each teaching staffs and lots of followers had been clad in festive gear for the vacation season, there was a scarcity of depth within the recreation itself. 

Mississippi State pulled out early to handedly defeat Florida A&M 72-47, shifting to 9-2 on the season with simply two non-conference video games remaining. 

Given the hole between the 2 groups early, the rating may have been 100 for the Bulldogs, however unhealthy taking pictures habits confirmed up within the second half to gradual issues down for the house crew. 

“Excited for the win, the defensive effort, unbelievable once more,” Purcell mentioned, evaluating the efficiency. “I like my crew, however like I maintain saying, I promise you we’re engaged on layups and free throws. It’s solely a matter of time earlier than they fall, and let’s be certain that they fall in subsequent week as a result of we’ve obtained two massive ones forward of us.”

MSU matched their gradual offense with good protection, holding the Rattlers to simply 31% from the sector, and simply 16 factors for your complete first half. 

Sturdy protection has been a core precept of this yr’s crew, and one thing that’s fueled them when photographs aren’t falling. 

As a lot as protection has fueled the Bulldogs, sharing the ball has been as helpful. All however one Bulldog scored 4 or extra factors on the night time and their skill to maintain that accountability off of only one participant is clear this season. 

“I believe our M.O. just isn’t permitting folks to scout one particular person, or us to have only one individual that we are able to go to. It’s a crew effort,” Smith mentioned. “I believe that coach put a variety of emphasis on that this week to share the ball, get open photographs, however get the straightforward shot. No hero ball, however let everybody get a contact and everyone get a really feel for it.”

Sharing the ball and powerful protection went hand-in-hand for MSU, because the Bulldogs capitalized off offensive alternatives as gamers attacked rapidly, pushing the offense. 

They out-scored Florida A&M, 24-10, in factors off turnovers, and scored nine-fast break factors within the win.

“Simply get after it on protection and push the ball,” guard Asianae Johnson mentioned. “Get one thing straightforward, clearly we’ve got a couple of performs, but when we are able to get one thing in transition and get one thing straightforward that’s our greatest possibility.”

Thursday night time was about extra than simply basketball, with a second of silence held earlier than tip-off in honor of former head soccer coach Mike Leach after he tragically died on Monday night time. 

Purcell opted to not put on a christmas sweater, as a substitute donning an MSU Hawaiian shirt in honor of his late good friend. 

“Clearly, we’re nonetheless unhappy like everyone else for Mike Leach,” Purcell mentioned. “I’m not going to be right here subsequent week for the superior memorial service that we’re going to have right here on the Hump, as a result of we shall be executed in Tampa. So, I used to be at Walmart. I believed why am I making an attempt to get a sweater, however I simply wished to provide him a little bit love. 

“For Mike similar to everyone else, we love you.”

The Bulldogs journey to Tampa over the weekend for the Solar Coast Basic, taking up Outdated Dominion and New Mexico of their last two non-conference video games earlier than SEC play begins on Dec. 29. 

Notes:

• Asianae Johnson was efficient once more off the bench, placing up 11 factors from 5-5 taking pictures. The vitality she brings within the rotation is an enormous enhance, particularly on nights like this when issues get gradual. 
• Ahlana Smith has performed with a brace on her wrist since returning to motion. Hasn’t affected her play an excessive amount of, although she had a gradual night time on offense. Acquired 5 rebounds although.