No. 1 South Carolina survives at Mississippi State, 58-51

STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) — There haven’t been many video games through which the South Carolina Gamecocks have been challenged on the court docket over the course of the previous couple of years, however Daybreak Staley’s staff was on the ropes on Sunday.

The Gamecocks have averaged 82 factors per recreation with a 39-point common margin of victory. Mississippi State saved the sport in single digits the complete method till the ultimate minute and would give the Gamecocks a problem however the defending nationwide champs prevailed but once more, 58-51.

“To maintain our girls able to take all people’s greatest, we’ve finished it for the final a number of years,” coach Daybreak Staley stated. “We’ve been fairly profitable on this convention, and I do suppose it’s due to the competitors that we see night time in and night time out. We’ve bought to carry out at a excessive stage. There’s no room for us to have psychological breakdowns or psychological errors as a result of individuals will make us pay for it. I assumed Mississippi State did that.”

Zia Cooke scored 16 factors and Aliyah Boston added 12 to assist No. 1 stay unbeaten. It was simply the third time this season that the Gamecocks received by single digits and the primary time that the staff has been held beneath 60 factors this 12 months.

The Gamecocks have been held to a season-low level whole on 19 of 65 (29%) taking pictures, however have been capable of finding a method. Boston added 15 rebounds within the win.

South Carolina (16-0, 3-0 SEC) had an enormous benefit on the free throw line the place the Gamecocks have been 14 of 24 whereas MSU was 2 of 5. The Gamecocks additionally dominated the boards with a 53-35 edge together with 22 offensive rebounds. The Bulldogs additionally surrendered 25 offensive rebounds to Tennessee in a loss earlier this week.

It was one other stellar defensive displaying for Mississippi State (12-5, 1-3), which is second within the SEC in scoring protection and high 5 nationally.

Jerkaila Jordan led the way in which for the Bulldogs in opposition to No. 1 with 13 factors and 5 rebounds. Jessika Carter had 11 factors on 5 of 11 with 9 rebounds and had 9 of these factors within the fourth quarter.

After struggling within the first three quarters to get factors, Carter gave a last push.

“It was time to show it on. My teammates don’t let me get down on myself. Within the first half, it wasn’t working for me and I wasn’t taking part in as laborious as I might have,” Carter stated. “My teammates informed me they wanted me and I needed to do what I needed to do.”

BIG PICTURE

South Carolina: The Gamecocks have been challenged in an enormous method by the Bulldogs however survived to remain undefeated. The defending champs have been completely dominant this 12 months with solely three video games determined by single digits. They continue to be the staff to beat within the SEC but once more.

Mississippi State: The Bulldogs have been on the lookout for a spark after back-to-back losses to Ole Miss and Tennessee and so they bought it. State will now look to get again on monitor with some wins.

UP NEXT:

South Carolina will keep on the street touring to Kentucky subsequent Thursday.

Mississippi State is off till subsequent Sunday when the Bulldogs journey to Texas A&M.

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